Riots continue in Leicester in wake of tensions between Hindus and Muslims
Police and community leaders have called for calm after clashes between large crowds led to arrests following “severe riots” in Leicester over the weekend. Two arrests were made and large numbers of people were searched under the arrest and search powers of Section 60, police said.
The disorder was the latest in a series of riots in the east of the city that followed a cricket match between India and Pakistan on 28 August. On Green Lane Road, which is home to several Muslim businesses and a nearby Hindu temple, a group of Hindu men marching through the area was filmed on Saturday.
Rukhsana Hussain, 42, a community leader, described hearing loud chants of “Jai Shri Ram”, which translates from Hindi as “greeting to Lord Ram” or “victory to Lord Ram”, from several blocks away. It’s a chant that has become synonymous with anti-Muslim violence in India of late, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come under increasing scrutiny for the country’s treatment of minorities. , including Muslims.
Majid Freeman, 34, a community activist, filmed much of the rioting on Belgrave Road on Saturday night. In a video Freeman shot on Twitter, glass bottles can be heard shattering and police yelling at Freeman to run away.
Riots continue in Leicester in wake of tensions between Hindus and Muslims
“They threw bottles and everything,” Freeman said. “They were walking past our mosques, taunting the community and hitting people randomly,” he said. A gathering of young Muslims in the city was a response to the impromptu march, Freeman added. “That’s when the Muslim community came out and said, ‘We can’t trust the police, we’re going to defend our community ourselves.’
On Saturday evening Leicestershire Police posted a video message on social media from acting Chief Constable Rob Nixon. He said there had been numerous reports of an outbreak of rioting in East Leicester and those responsible had the situation under control.
A police update early on Sunday said large crowds had formed “after groups of young men began an unplanned protest”.
He continued: “Several incidents of violence and damage have been reported to the police and are being investigated. We are aware of a video in circulation showing a man pulling down a flag outside a religious building in Melton Road, Leicester.”
“This appears to have happened while police officers were concerned about public order in the area. The incident will be investigated “. One man was arrested on conspiracy charges to commit violent riots and one man on suspicion of possessing a knife. Both were still at the police station on Sunday.
Police said: “We continue to call for dialogue and calm with the support of local community leaders. We will not tolerate violence or disorder in our city.”
“A major police operation will remain in the area for the next few days.”
Riots continue in Leicester, England. Hindu far right groups shouting ‘Jai Sri Ram’ and attacking Muslims on the streets. pic.twitter.com/97fTIBsBiX
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) September 18, 2022
