In a massive escalation of diplomatic row, India has summoned Canadian diplomat Stewart Wheeler after Ottawa charged the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats as persons of interest in the murder investigation of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to India, Stewart Wheeler has been summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to offer explanation over Canada’s move. The North American country named Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma as a person of interest in its investigation into Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.

Following the claims, the MEA issued a strongly-worded statement, where it accused Prime Minister Justine Trudeau of doing vote bank politics and not doing enough to tackle separatist elements on Canadian soil. The MEA asserted that the Canadian government did not share a shred of evidence of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing despite repeated requests.

The statement remarked that since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side. It added that this latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts, and leaves little doubt that on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains.

The Ministry in its statement also clarified that the Indian government strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics. The government further stated that it took note of the activities of the Canadian High Commission in India, which it said served as the political agenda of the Trudeau government. Furthermore, it mentioned that India now reserves the right to take further steps in response to these recent efforts of the Canadian Government to concoct allegations against Indian diplomats.

India and Canada ties fell off in September last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian government agents involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India had rejected those charges as motivated and absurd.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday directed the authorities to declare a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts on Tuesday, in view of the heavy rain forecast. 

MK Stalin also instructed the authorities to issue an advisory to allow employees of the IT companies in the aforesaid districts to work from home from October 15 to 18. The Chief Minister chaired a meeting in the Secretariat to review monsoon preparedness. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, and the Director General of Police Shankar Jiwal were among the attendees.

Earlier on Sunday, the Tamil Nadu government had alerted District Collectors about the weather prediction till October 17. The state government instructed the authorities to ensure precautionary measures and maintain law and order to avert any untoward incident. 

Furthermore, the government listed out the expected impact in the districts, which included the possibilities of traffic disruption, water-logging in low-lying areas, road blocks due to falling of treees/branches, damages in informal settlements, increased water levels in water bodies, and landslides in hilly areas. 

Meanwhile, the School Education Department has issued a circular to all schools in the state, directing them to implement precautionary measures to ensure student safety during the rainy season. The measures include monitoring electricity cables, clearing drainage systems, pruning trees and ensuring that water does not stagnate on school rooftops. Additionally, schools have been advised to avoid using dilapidated or structurally weak buildings.

The circular stated that headmasters and teachers have been instructed to inform parents not to allow their children near water bodies. It added that students should be encouraged to use raincoats and umbrellas.

It also mentioned that schools are required to provide details of the staff in charge to the revenue department in case the premises need to be used to accommodate rain-affected people.

A couple of days after NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai, police said that his MLA-son Zeeshan Siddique is also on the attackers hit-list. Zeeshan Siddique is the Congress MLA from Mumbai Suburban’s Vandre East constituency. The Mumbai Police said that the handlers of the accused had asked them to kill both the politicians. 

Speaking to a news agency, Mumbai police said that Zeeshan Siddique had received threats a few days before the incident took place. They added that the accused revealed during interrogation that both father and son were on the target. The accused were directed to fire on anyone they found. The police stated that the accused were given a contract to kill both the politicians. 

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch, which is currently investigating the murder, arrested a man named Pravin Lonkar from Pune. Pravin, is the brother of Shubuu Lonkar who in a social media post claimed that Baba Siddique was killed by Lawrence Bishnoi gang because of the former’s ties with actor Salman Khan. So far, the police have arrested two shooters for the murder, while the third is absconding. The two shooters are from Uttar Pradesh, and the third is from Haryana. 

NCP leader Baba Siddique was murdered outside his office in Nirmal Nagar. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was hurried to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Baba Siddique’s last rites were performed with full state honours in Mumbai on Sunday.

Soon after the incident, Chief minister Eknath Shinde has vowed that the culprits will not be spared. He said that the culprits will not be spared, no matter who they are, be it the Bishnoi gang or any underworld gang. The Chief Minister vowed that strict action will be taken. He asserted that those who are receiving threats will have their safety ensured, as it is the state government’s responsibility.