Fifteen people were arrested in East Leicester on Sunday after a clash erupted when groups of young men began an unplanned protest, the Leicestershire Police said in a statement.
A Twitter update by the Leicestershire Police said: “A policing operation to deter further disorder continued in the East Leicester on Sunday, September 18. It was supported from resources from a number of neighbouring police forces, including the mounted police unit…”
#BREAKING | Hindu-Muslim clashes erupt at #LeicesterUK@sanjaysuri88 | @toyasingh | #Leicestershire #UK pic.twitter.com/XaYIZyXyVk
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 19, 2022
This comes after various videos and reports have been circulating on social media about Pakistani organized gangs vandalising and terrorising Hindus in the UK’s Leicester City, the ANI reported.
News18 gets the inside story of the Hindu-Muslim clash, in which the role of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), premier intelligence agency of Pakistan, and Pakistan Consulate is under the scanner.
IT STARTED ON AUG 28
According to sources, the clashes began on August 28 when a Muslim restaurant in Leicester served a burger on an Indian flag before the final result of the first Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan. This created tension between groups from India and Pakistan.
In Leicester we remain vigilant to incitement to hate, whilst working hard to bring our communities together and end race and religious violence
Leicester is one of the most diverse cities in the UK. Our unity is our strength
My letter to the Chief Constable of Leicestershire👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/L2DPOAkZSX
– Claudia Webbe MP (@ClaudiaWebbe) September 17, 2022
India won the match and the Indian side celebrated with flags and crackers with permission from the local administration. The local Imam, however, said they were creating trouble, said sources.
PAK MATCH
On September 4, Pakistan won the match and the Pakistani side created a ruckus by bringing almost 10,000 youth from Birmingham, said sources.
An update on our response to the disorder in areas of East Leicester.
Thank you to everyone who has supported our work to reduce tensions and bring people to justice. pic.twitter.com/8m35WQb6J0
— Leicestershire Police (@leicspolice) September 18, 2022
According to sources, among the many incidents of violence, a Hindu home celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi was attacked and eggs were thrown into the house. An attempt to knife a young Hindu male was recorded and his aunt was punched in the nose when she came to save him.
The group assembled in a stadium and gave a call that Islam is in danger, said sources. Some youths also removed a flag of a local Hanuman temple, said sources.
The attacks continued into the third day, when scores of Muslim youth went on a rampage, vandalizing homes of at least 50 residents and several cars, said sources. The homes, identified with the help of symbols such as Om, Shubh Labh and Ganesh pictures, were targeted, said sources.
In another incident, a man used foul language at a group of 16-year-old Hindu girls doing Garba (a dance done on Navratri dedicated to honour Mother Goddess), said sources.
ACTION TAKEN
After the reports of the clash on Saturday night, the Leicestershire Police Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon, in a video message shared on the Twitter handle, said, “We have had numerous reports of disorder on the streets of Leicester tonight, Saturday, September 17. We have got officers there, we are taking control of the situation, there are additional officers en route and dispersal powers, stop search powers, have been authorised. Please do not get involved. We are calling for calm.”
Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon is asking the communities to stay calm.
Rob Nixon is calling for calm and encouraging people to go home.
The incident is still ongoing tonight into the early hours of Sunday, police are now dispersing the groups.#BelgraveRoad pic.twitter.com/4YkuQlgiOj— Leicester Media – LM News (@Leicestermedia) September 17, 2022
The London police has increased vigil. The commissioner of police has been asked to meet Baroness Verma and control street crime.
With ANI inputs
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