RCMP warning to Indo-Canadian community draws fire

(CBC) - The RCMP's warning that wealthy Indo-Canadian businesspeople in Surrey should be extra careful because of a rash of kidnapping and extortion attempts is creating needless panic, a South Asian community leader says.

Harbanz Kandola was reacting to a RCMP news release that said Indo-Canadian businesspeople should install security alarm systems and surveillance cameras in their homes and offices.

However, it does not say who the targets were or when the incidents occurred.

That's not good enough, says Kandola, president of Surrey's Sikh Alliance Against Violence. He says issuing the warning without any other details could create confusion or even panic.

"There are a lot of rich people in the Indo-Canadian community. To put the release out without an explanation, why create stresses for the businesspeople?" Kandola says he hasn't heard of any recent kidnapping attempts in Surrey, and worries that such vague statements by police can create negative impressions about an entire community.

"It may give the impression to the mainstream community, or overall community, now this is a new thing starting in the Indo-Canadian community or South Asian community? That is my concern."

Surrey RCMP say they just want people to be careful because the kidnappers are targeting innocent people with no connection to drugs or crime. And they argue that giving any more information to the public would jeopardize their investigation.

© the CBC, 2006