Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ A group of influential Indian-Americans in Silicon Valley convened a special meeting with senior officials from the Department of Justice, FBI, and local police to address the concerning trend of terrorist activities against India originating from US soil.
The meeting, organized by community leader Ajai Jain Bhutoria, focused on the escalating hate crimes targeting Hindu and Jain places of worship in California. Attendees, comprising about two dozen eminent Indian-Americans, expressed frustration with the perceived lack of action by US law enforcement agencies against individuals involved in promoting terrorism activities in India.
In attendance at the meeting were Vincent Plair and Harpreet Singh Mokha from the Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service, alongside representatives from the FBI and various police departments including those in San Francisco, Milpitas, Fremont, and Newark. This diverse assembly underscored a collaborative effort among federal, state, and local entities to address pertinent community issues. Their presence highlighted a concerted approach towards fostering effective communication and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. This gathering served as a testament to the commitment of these stakeholders to work together towards building safer and more inclusive communities.
Participants voiced concerns about the growing fear and anxiety within the community, particularly due to incidents such as the intimidation of young Indian-Americans by individuals associated with the Khalistan movement. They highlighted instances where Indian diplomats were openly threatened, and calls for terrorist incidents in India were made without repercussions.
Despite these grievances, some members disclosed to PTI that senior law enforcement officials admitted to being unaware of the Khalistan movement in the US. They urged Indian-Americans to assist in raising awareness about these terrorist groups and acknowledged resource constraints hampering their ability to take immediate action.
The meeting underscored the urgent need for collaboration between the Indian-American community and law enforcement agencies to address hate crimes and thwart terrorism activities, prioritizing the safety and security of all individuals irrespective of their ethnicity or religious affiliation.
