The British Columbia government has established a provincial task force to combat extortion and violence affecting the South Asian community. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger announced the initiative on Wednesday, stating that the task force will be led by the RCMP and will include 40 members from various law enforcement agencies across the province.

Krieger emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to tackle the rising threats, shootings, and extortions targeting South Asian families and businesses. "No person or family or business in our province should be threatened in this way, and we must do everything we can to stop these crimes," she said.

The task force aims to enhance police collaboration and support comprehensive investigations. It will utilize resources, intelligence, and tactical skills to address the ongoing violence and intimidation. Assistant Commissioner John Brewer of the provincial RCMP noted that the number of cases under investigation is fluid, as extortion files are continuously updated. "The number will go up daily. It’ll also come down, because, as I said earlier, some of these are known extortion groups we’re dealing with, and others are just that spur of the moment," he explained.

In Surrey, where the issue is particularly acute, Mayor Brenda Locke announced a $250,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions in extortion cases. Police in Surrey are currently investigating 44 extortion cases, including 27 that involve shootings.

The provincial government will allocate $300,000 from the federal Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund to support the task force. Of this amount, $200,000 will be specifically designated for the task force, while $100,000 will go to B.C. Crime Stoppers to promote public awareness and encourage reporting of threats.

Krieger highlighted that these efforts build on the more than $100 million the province invests annually in specialized enforcement to combat crime. The task force's formation comes amid concerns about similar crimes affecting communities across Canada, with some police forces linking these incidents to the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This has prompted calls from B.C. Premier David Eby and others to classify the gang as a terrorist organization.