Canada Theatre Attack Sparks Nationwide Ban On Indian Films After Ontario Cinema Set On Fire
A shocking theatre attack in Ontario has led to a nationwide ban on Indian film screenings in Canada. Police reports confirm suspects used flammable liquid to torch the entrance.
Canada Theatre Attack: A cinema hall in Ontario, Canada, has been attacked twice in the past week, first by arson and then by gunfire. Following these incidents, the Oakville-based theater has banned the screening of South Asian films. The theater was showing recently released films like Rishabh Shetty's "Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1" and Pawan Kalyan's "They Call Him OG," but they were removed after the attacks.
The theater management and police believe the attacks are directly linked to the Indian films being shown at the theater. Following the incident, the theater's CEO confirmed that the attacks were a result of someone's displeasure with the screening of South Asian films.
First incident
At 5:20 a.m. on September 25th, an attempt was made to set fire to the theater's exterior. According to Halton police, two suspects arrived with a red gas can and attempted to ignite the flammable liquid by pouring it on the theater's main entrance. However, the fire was confined to the exterior and caused minor damage to the theater.
Suspicious activity seen in CCTV footage
CCTV video shared by the theater showed a gray SUV arriving at the scene around 2 a.m. The video shows a man wearing a hoodie inspecting the theater. The same SUV returned a short time later, and two people were seen pouring liquid from a red jerrycan on the theater's doors.
Second incident
In the second incident, a suspected attacker fired several shots at the entrance of a theater. According to police, the man was dark-skinned, heavy-set, wearing dark clothing and a black face mask. The theater was closed at the time of the attack, so no one was injured.
Police checks and security increased
Halton Regional Police said both incidents were premeditated and active investigations are underway. They have released descriptions of the suspects and CCTV footage to seek public assistance. Due to the continued attacks, the cinema's CEO, Jeff Knoll, decided to stop screening South Asian films. He said, "Recently, someone tried to burn down our theater simply because we were playing South Asian films."
