Peel Regional Police in Ontario issued a statement on Thursday providing further clarification on an altercation between a police officer and protesters during a recent protest in Brampton. The protest, organized by pro-Khalistani groups, took place outside the Hindu Mandir, where the demonstrators were reportedly involved in violent clashes.

The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, showed an officer seemingly throwing punches at a protester. This raised concerns over the use of force by the police, prompting an internal review. However, Peel Police have now confirmed that the officer acted “within the lawful execution of his duties” during the confrontation.

In their statement, Peel Regional Police explained that the officer was attempting to seize a weapon from a protester who had refused to surrender it and became physically confrontational. The protest had escalated, and authorities became concerned for public safety. The officer’s body-worn camera footage, which was reviewed as part of the investigation, shows the officer approaching a man holding a stick. The protester resisted, and a brief physical altercation ensued before the weapon was successfully seized.

Const. Tyler Bell-Morena, in the police release, emphasized that the video circulating on social media did not provide the full context. “What the video doesn’t show is the officer identifying a protester for the purposes of seizing a weapon that he’s holding. The protester then retreats into the crowd and he, along with others, begin to physically resist the officer,” said Bell-Morena. He added that the officer acted to neutralize the threat posed by the weapon, which was necessary for the safety of all involved.

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Earlier this month, a group of protesters, supporting the Khalistan movement, disrupted a consular event attended by Indian officials at the Hindu Mandir in Brampton. Tensions escalated as the protesters reportedly attacked bystanders with sticks, drawing widespread condemnation, including statements from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The altercation prompted calls for greater protection of places of worship from violent protests.

In the aftermath of the violent protests, Peel Regional Police acknowledged the concerns raised by the public regarding the officer’s conduct. “Peel Regional Police understands that the video caused concern in the community. We take all complaints about officer conduct seriously and have conducted a review of the incident,” the statement read.

In a related development, a Peel Regional Police officer, Sergeant Harinder Sohi, was suspended after he was filmed participating in the pro-Khalistani protests. Sohi was seen holding a Khalistan flag and chanting anti-India slogans during the incident at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton. Following the attack on Hindu worshippers, India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern about the safety of Indian nationals in Canada and urged the Canadian government to safeguard religious sites from such attacks.

Peel Regional Police also confirmed that they are committed to transparency and ensuring public safety while also upholding the law impartially. The investigation into the altercation at the Hindu Mandir is ongoing, and the police service has reiterated that all incidents involving officer conduct are taken seriously.