Transport Minister and RCMP investigate "threats" to Air India

According to a report by The Canadian Press, Canada's transport minister, Pablo Rodriguez, and the RCMP say an investigation is underway into what they call "threats" against Air India after an online video warned people not to fly on the airline on Nov. 19.

Rodriguez shared in a social media post that the government takes any threat to aviation "extremely seriously.''

He said Canada and its security partners are investigating the "recent threats circulating online," and his press secretary confirms Rodriguez was referring to comments about Air India.

RCMP spokeswoman, Kristine Kelly, said police are collaborating with domestic and international partners and industry stakeholders in an investigation into the threat against Air India flights.

According to the report, the original remarks about Air India were made by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-based organizer of unofficial referendums on Sikh independence, including recent votes in Surrey, B.C.

Pannun stated in a video, delivered in a mix of Punjabi and English, that he's asking Sikhs "do not fly Air India" on Nov. 19, and there will be a "global blockade" against the airline that day.

That is the final day of the cricket World Cup in Ahmedabad, India, an event Pannun refers to in the video as the "World Terror Cup."

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