'SUSTAINED EFFORT' NEEDED TO STOP VIOLENCE AMONG INDO-CANADIANS

Community Leaders Gather To Talk about Drug-Related Killings

A Vancouver cop says an integrated police task force and years of effort is
required to break the cycle of drug violence that has killed some 75
Indo-Canadian youth around Vancouver in the past 10 years.

Insp. Kash Heed told a gathering of Sikh leaders and municipal politicians
yesterday that he gets calls every day from people urging an integrated,
multi-level task force to deal with drug violence.

"We want to work together to address this problem once and for all," Heed said.

"There is a sustained effort from all the leaders here in this room and we
need a sustained effort from government to carry on with this.

"We need some type of integrated task force to stop this once and for all."

Community leaders have held several forums on how to stop the blood-letting
and bring the culprits to justice. Only a handful of the 75 murders have
been solved.

Among those attending the meeting, in a hall near the Ross Street temple,
were Delta Mayor Lois Jackson, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, Surrey Mayor
Doug McCallum, New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright, Richmond Mayor Malcolm
Brodie and Vancouver Coun. Peter Ladner.

At least two dozen Sikh leaders were present, including Ross Street temple
president Jarnail Bhandal and Surrey temple leader Balwant Gill.

Harinder Sohi, the father of 20-year-old Gurpreet Sohi of Delta, killed in
September 2001, was also present and asked the mayors why the murders of
Indo-Canadian youth is not a priority for politicians and police.

Vancouver police recently formed a task force to investigate killings of
Indo-Canadians and to prevent more murders.

Heed told the gathering the Vancouver police are aiming to solve the cases,
stop more violence and work with the community to find out and address
problems contributing to the spate of killings.

"But I can tell you right now -- in talking to the experts who have been
involved in this for quite some time -- it will take two to three years of
sustained effort to really make a difference, to crack this cycle of
violence that is taking place with a small percentage of the youth [that]
is tarnishing the entire community," he said.

All the municipal representatives present said they support plans that
would help divert Indo-Canadian youth to sporting activities and better
out-reach programs with school liaison officers.

They also said they support the community's call for the judiciary to get
tough with drug dealers.

Sikh leaders are to meet next with members of the judiciary to express
their frustrations with what they feel is light treatment of drug dealers.