Khalistan supporters protest outside Indian consulate in downtown Vancouver

Protesters waving Khalistan flags gathered outside the Indian consulate in downtown Vancouver Saturday to mark eight months since the shooting death of religious leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside his Surrey gurdwara.

Dozens of protesters chanted on loudspeakers and some even burned the Indian flag.

Nijjar was a supporter of the separatist movement seeking independence for the Punjab region of India, where the Sikh religion is dominant.

In September, the Prime Minister revealed there was credible intelligence linking India’s government to the killing of Nijjar but didn’t say what that intelligence was.

The Indian government denied the allegation and responded by temporarily suspending its visa services in Canada and for Canadian citizens worldwide. This suspension has since been lifted.

Last month, an associate of Nijjar was the target of a shooting, which led to the arrest of two teen boys.

With files from Monika Gul, David Nadalini, and The Canadian Press.