Four Indians killed in US-Canada
Highlight
- The bodies of four people were found on the US-Canada border near Emerson on Wednesday
- Law enforcement officials have also determined that the two undocumented were Indian citizens.
- The group said they estimated they had been running for more than 11 hours.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday expressed shock over the death of a family of four Indian nationals at the US-Canada border in what officials believe was a failed crossing attempt during a blizzard, and Instructed the Indian ambassadors and asked the US and Canada to respond immediately to the situation.
The Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said Thursday that the bodies of four people – two adults, a teenager and an infant – were found on the Canadian side of the US-Canada border near Emerson on Wednesday.
“Shocked by the reports that 4 Indian nationals including an infant have lost their lives at the Canada-US border. Jaishankar tweeted, Asking our Ambassadors in the US and Canada to respond immediately to the situation.
A US Border Patrol (USBP) in North Dakota intercepted a 15-passenger van south of the Canadian border on Wednesday, according to court documents.
The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota issued a release late Thursday and said the driver, identified as Steve Shand, 47, of Florida, was arrested on human trafficking charges in connection with the incident.
The Justice Department said law enforcement officials also determined that the two were unspecified Indian citizens.
Court documents said law enforcement discovered cases of plastic cups, bottled water, bottled juices and snacks located in the rear of the passenger van.
Law enforcement discovered receipts for drinks and snacks dated January 18, 2022, and rental agreement receipts for vans in Shand’s name, with the return date listed for January 20, 2022.
As they were taking the three back to the Border Patrol station in North Dakota, officers were walking past another group of five Indian nationals.
They said they had gone across the border and were expected to be picked up by someone.
The group said they estimated they had been on the move for more than 11 hours, and were on their way to an unemployed gas plant in St Petersburg.
Vincent, Minnesota.
One of the group members had a bag that was not his.
He told officials that he was carrying bags for a family of four Indian nationals who had earlier accompanied his group but got separated at night.
The bag contained baby clothes, a diaper, toys and some children’s medicine.
According to court documents, on January 19, the USBP received a report from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that four bodies had been found frozen inside the Canadian side of the international border.
The bodies were tentatively identified as that of a family of four who had been separated.
Two of the surviving Indian nationals suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital.
Shand has been charged with knowing or recklessly disregarding the fact that a foreign citizen came to, entered, or stayed, transported, and transferred to the United States in contravention of the law or attempt to transport such nationals Did.
He appeared for the first time today before US District Court Magistrate Judge Hildy Bouber.
Shand was ordered to remain in custody pending a preliminary inquiry and custodial hearing, which is currently scheduled for January 24.
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