UK police make 47 arrests in Leicester; Hindus and Muslims make joint attraction for concord

Pradyumna Das, President of town’s ISKCON Temple, learn out a press release joined by group leaders outdoors a mosque within the metropolis to precise “sadness” over the violence which escalated over the weekend.

The group leaders demanded that the “inciters of hatred” depart Leicester alone and referred to as for a right away cessation of provocation and violence, each in thought and behavior.

“Our message to anyone that sows disharmony between us is clear: we will not let you succeed. We ask all to respect the sanctity of religious places, both mosques and mandirs alike — whether provocation with loud music, flag bearing, derogatory chants or physical attacks against the fabric of worship. This is not acceptable nor upheld by our faiths,” the assertion mentioned.

“We are a strong family, we will work together to resolve whatever concern may arise — we do not need to call up any assistance from outside our city. Leicester has no place for any foreign extremist ideology that causes division,” he mentioned, highlighting that Hindus and Muslims have lived “harmoniously” within the metropolis for over half a century.

It got here as police patrols continued within the metropolis because the Indian High Commission in London issued a strongly worded assertion condemning the violence towards the Indian group and referred to as for cover for these affected.

Leicestershire Police mentioned a 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 months in jail after he pleaded responsible to possession of an offensive weapon throughout clashes within the metropolis. Amos Noronha, from the native space, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court after his arrest throughout Saturday’s incident and was rapidly charged resulting from “overwhelming evidence”.

“The sentence is reflective of the fact that this was a serious offence and he has ended up with time in prison,” mentioned Rob Nixon, Temporary Chief Constable at Leicestershire Police.

“We will not stand for this unrest in our city. There is an extensive policing operation ongoing, acting on information and reports of gatherings and offering community reassurance. Be reassured: we are working to keep you safe and to arrest and bring to justice those that are causing harm in our communities,” he mentioned.

It follows a weekend of what the police termed as “serious disorder” and “significant aggression” as Hindu and Muslim teams clashed within the wake of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match in Dubai on the finish of final month.

“A policing operation to deter further disorder continued in east Leicester…In total, 47 people have been arrested for offences in relation to the unrest in the east of the city. Some of those arrested were from out of the city, including some people from Birmingham,” Leicestershire Police mentioned.

The power mentioned it needed to be supported by assets from a variety of neighbouring police forces, together with the mounted police unit, because the clashes escalated over the weekend. Dispersal and cease and search powers have been used repeatedly to revive calm. There had been social media movies circulating exhibiting a temple flag being ripped out and glass bottles being hurled.

The Indian High Commission mentioned in its assertion on Monday: “We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated towards the Indian group in Leicester and vandalisation of premises and symbols of Hindu faith.

“We have strongly taken up this matter with the UK authorities and have sought immediate action against those involved in these attacks. We call on the authorities to provide protection to the affected people.” Diaspora group Insight UK has claimed that a lot of the violence was the results of “misinformation” and pretend information circulating on social media. Leicester metropolis mayor Peter Soulsby agreed, saying “very, very, very distorting” occasions had been being shared on social media and blamed outsiders for coming into town to stoke violence.

“We condemn damages to Hindu temples which are a place of worship and should not be disrespected,” Hindu Council UK mentioned in a press release.

“We call upon the Hindu community to work with the authorities to bring calm and peace as Leicester is renowned for its cultural diversity, unity and community cohesion,” the UK-wide group organisation mentioned, including that it’s engaged on growing methods to result in stronger inter-community relations within the metropolis.

Leicester, within the East Midlands area of England, is named town with a big chunk of inhabitants of South Asian descent. The metropolis’s Belgrave Road is legendary because the Golden Mile, filled with Indian-origin jewelry, meals and different companies, and in addition a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

The metropolis’s former Indian-origin member of Parliament, the primary of South Asian heritage, took to social media to attraction for calm.

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“To me Leicester is the greatest city in the world. Nowhere else so many different people of different languages, cultures and ethnicities live together in harmony,” mentioned Goan-origin Keith Vaz, who was MP for Leicester East from 1987 to 2019.

“We celebrate Diwali, Eid and Baisakhi as one big happy family. I am saddened to see recent events…a small minority of people are seeking to destroy the spirit of Leicester,” he mentioned.