A policeman who was suspended for participating in a pro-Khalistan protestwhose participants entered the premises of a Hindu temple in Brampton and attacked devotees, has been given a clean chit. Canada’s Peel Regional Police said police officer Harinder Sohi, seen in the viral video of the temple attack, was trying to disarm people who refused to surrender their weapons and became confrontational. In several videos from November 3, an aggressive Sohi can be seen holding a Khalistani flag and not disarming any protesters.

Peel police said an investigation found the officer “he acted within the legal execution of his duties”.

The incident was from Diwali weekend when Pro-Khalistani protesters entered the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton where the Indian High Commission was holding a public camp.

Sohi, a Peel police sergeant, held a Khalistani flag as the crowd chanted anti-India slogans. Surprisingly, Peel Police said Sohi was trying to disarm people because the video showed him in civilian clothes and off duty.

The police said that the protest near the temple quickly escalated, raising safety concerns and officers seizing items that could be used as weapons.

During the altercation between police and Khalistani supporters, a Canadian police officer, Harinder Sohi, was caught on camera holding a Khalistani flag while supporters, armed with sticks, chanted anti-India slogans.

Sohi, a sergeant with Peel Regional Police, it was later suspended after the video went viral.

However, in a video statement after the incident, Canadian police clarified that the suspended officer “acted in the lawful execution of his duties.”

“Following an investigation, it was determined that the officer depicted in the video was attempting to disarm an individual who refused to surrender his weapon and became confrontational, and as a result acted in the lawful performance of his duties,” Canadian police said in statement.

PEEL POLICE SAY officers tried to defuse the tension

Canadian police also confirmed that officers were trying to defuse tensions.

“To maintain peace and order and to prevent further injuries and escalation, officers began confiscating several items that could be used as weapons, including bats, batons and flagpoles,” Canadian police said.

Peel police released officer’s body camera footage of the altercation, which shows Sohi trying to disarm a person who refused to drop a gun and became aggressive.

The footage shows the officer approaching a man holding a stick and trying to take it away. The man resisted, leading to a brief struggle before the officer grabbed the baton and dispersed the crowd.

“What the video doesn’t show is the officer identifying a protester in order to confiscate a gun he is holding. The protester then retreats into the crowd and he, along with others, begins to physically resist the officer. The officer’s body-worn camera that captured the interaction was reviewed,” said Agent Tyler Bell-Morena.

Following the attack on Hindu worshipers in Brampton, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has expressed serious concern about the safety of Indians citizens of Canada and urged the Canadian government to protect places of worship from such attacks.

WHY CANADIAN POLICE OFFICER WAS NAMED KHALISTANI

Not without evidence that people called for Sohi’s suspension after the November 3 Brampton temple protest and attack.

Sohi was caught on camera holding a Khalistan flag while others at the protest chanted anti-India slogans.

Peel Regional Police earlier said they were aware of circulating video showing Sohi, an off-duty officer, actively participating in the demonstration.

Videos circulating on social media showed fistfights and people hitting each other with masts on what appeared to be the grounds surrounding the temple.