The sons of Abbotsford murder victim Darshan Sahsi have sent letters to politicians at all levels of government, calling for “strong, immediate and enforceable action” to end the recent spate of extortion-related violence.
Navi and Arpan Sahsi say current measures to address the issue – such as a provincial police extortion task force – are not enough.
“These criminals are acting with impunity and Canadians are feeling abandoned and helpless against them,” their letter states.
“I remind you that these are not gangsters fighting with each other. These are thugs who are attacking innocent, hard-working Canadians and extorting their hard work, livelihood, and safety from them right in front of our eyes.”
The letter was sent Thursday (Nov. 13) to Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, MPs, MLAs and the solicitor general.
Darshan, 68, was gunned down inside his truck outside his home in the 31300 block of Ridgeview Drive on Oct. 27.
He was the president of Canam International, a textile recycling business with locations in Abbotsford and Maple Ridge.
Police have not confirmed whether Darshan’s death is related to the recent rash of extortion-related events mainly targeting the South Asian communities in Surrey and Abbotsford.
Another shooting occurred in Abbotsford – in the 33200 block of George Ferguson Way – on the same day Darshan was killed, resulting in a 41-year-old man being airlifted to hospital.
A candlelight vigil in Darshan’s memory was held Nov. 8 at the Taj Park Convention Centre in Surrey. Hundreds of people attended, including politicians at all levels of government.
The brothers’ letter references a shooting that occurred that day at a home in South Surrey and then four days later at the same residence, as well as a shooting that took place early Wednesday morning (Nov. 12) at a business in the 31000 block of King Road.
Navi and Arpan also state that several cars were damaged Nov. 10 at a home on their street near where their father was killed.
“No one has been arrested or held accountable for these acts. How do you expect our family, or anyone in our neighbourhood, to feel safe under these circumstances?” they wrote in their letter to Siemens.
“When property damage and violence continue to happen so openly – and no culprits are in custody – it sends a clear message that criminals have no fear and the city has no control.”
Navi and Arpan call for “stronger enforcement against criminal networks, better policing resources and real consequences for those who terrorize our communities.”
They say the situation should be treated as an emergency, and they want to know what “concrete plans and actions” the different levels of government are taking to address the issue.
“We have already lost our father to this senseless violence, but we do not want any other family to experience the same unbearable pain. This is our mission — to make sure no more innocent lives are taken,” they wrote.
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