India has asked Canada to protect Air India flights, adding those departing from Vancouver and Toronto, but the Canadian government has yet to show that it has put airports on alert.
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An unverified video circulating on social media and reported through various media outlets in India warns other people not to travel on Air India on November 19 because their lives are believed to be in danger.
According to a report by the Hindustan Times on Monday, India has called on Canada to beef up security on Air India flights in reaction to the threat.
The Indian media reported that India’s High Commissioner in Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, said, “We will take the risk of opposing Air India flights to and from Canada, in combination with the relevant Canadian authorities. “
Travel agents in Metro Vancouver say the risk “heightened concerns” about flights that day and in general, and that it comes at a time when the industry is slowly returning to normal after India’s ban on processing visas for Canadian travellers was lifted. India.
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“There haven’t really been (many) cancellations because of the threat,” said Nitin Gaba, chief operating officer of Gaba Travel, which helps consumers register their visa programs from offices in Vancouver and Abbotsford.
“What further complicates the issues is that due to previous visa restrictions, this season has been slower.
“The number of people travelling to India from Vancouver has (already) decreased a lot from normal,” said Gaba, who said the company “just started to see a slight increase once visas were opened. “
He said “there is increased concern, but the risk has not yet affected travel. “
Messages were returned to Air India. La RCMP “E” Division of British Columbia directed all questions to the National Media Unit of the RCMP of Canada, but responded to phone calls. Global Affairs Canada and Public Safety Canada also commented.
Balwant Singh Gill, president of the Khalsa Diwan Society of Surrey and former president of the Guru Nanak Sikh temple, called the risk “very serious,” especially since the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985 is still on the minds of Canadians.
Gill said he would like the Canadian government or the RCMP to urge social media corporations to post the video.
It is “an open promotion of terrorism. . . So you have to remove it from social media,” he said. He doesn’t have any message for Sikhs regarding the video, but said they all take the risk very seriously.
Air India operates several weekly direct flights to New Delhi from Vancouver and Toronto airports.
Postmedia was unable to determine the authenticity of the video.
November 19 is the day India hosts the final match of the Men’s Cricket World Cup.
On June 23, 1985, two suitcases loaded with bombs that had been checked in at Vancouver airport – intended for Air India flights – exploded on opposite sides of the globe. The first exploded at Japan’s Narita airport, killing two baggage handlers. The moment brought down Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland about an hour later, killing everyone on board and bringing the total to 280 Canadians.
A Supreme Court ruled and a subsequent public inquiry concluded that the bombings were carried out through Babbar Khalsa, a group of British Columbians campaigning for the independence of the Indian Punjab. Three years before Christ, the men were finally charged with the murderous plot. Two were acquitted and a third pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
– with archives through Joseph Ruttle and Kim Bolan
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