Police search for 11 suspects allegedly linked to violence at Brampton, Mississauga protests

Photos released by Peel Regional Police in connection with the protests in Brampton, Mississauga in November 2024. (Peel Regional Police)

Police in Peel Region are working to identify 11 persons of interest who were allegedly involved in violence that broke out during protests in Brampton and Mississauga last month.

On Saturday, police released photographs of several suspects who are allegedly responsible for various offences including assault and assault with weapons.

In a press release, they allege the suspects are behind offences such as " assault causing bodily harm, assaulting a police officer and public incitement of hatred."

The protests were part of a series of demonstrations, including one at a Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, where protesters were seen waving Khalistani flags and striking others with sticks in a video, CTV News reported.

"Who's a terrorist? India," some of the protesters are heard saying in the video.

Sikhs For Justice, Khalistani supporters who advocate for Sikh independence in India, were allegedly protesting the presence of Indian officials visiting the temple. The protest then took a violent turn and chaos ensued.

Later the same night, two more demonstrations began at two different locations in Mississauga, at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha and the Westwood Mall. Police had reported a presence of weapons at the sites of these protests and dozens of officers were seen in the area.

Videos from the protests sparked outrage among officials from both countries on social media, questioning the sanctity of religious freedom within Canada.

This incident was a product of the ongoing tensions between the governments of India and Canada, when Ottawa accused the Indian government of targeting Sikh separatists in the country.

As the investigators continue to analyze more video evidence of the incident, they have asked for any videos or images of the demonstration to be submitted.