Man arrested after 'pressure cooker bomb' comments about Surrey Vaisakhi parade

After an investigation which began following “concerning comments” on social media about Surrey’s Vaisakhi Parade last weekend, police said on Thursday that one man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

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The parade drew in more than 500,000 people, making the Surrey event the largest Vaisakhi parade in the world, outside of India.

And it was a comment on a story about the event posted on Global News’ Facebook page which drew the attention of the RCMP.

“Imagine what one pressure cooker bomb could have done,” the person wrote. They added it was a “missed opportunity.”

Surrey RCMP Cpl. Elenore Sturko told Daily Hive that they began investigating the matter on Sunday and were able to make contact with the person believed to be responsible for the post.

Now, police have arrested a Surrey resident for Public Incitement of Hatred in connection with the comments.

The 46-year-old is is currently being held in custody.

A screenshot capturing the concerning comment made (Harman Bhangu/Facebook)

Jinny Sims, BC’s Minister of Citizens’ Services and MLA for Surrey-Panorama, was one of the many to bring the concerning comments to light.

Anyone with any further information about this incident is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or contact Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online.