Leaders of the Muslim and Hindu communities have urged restraint following Saturday’s fights between young men in Leicester, a city in the center of the United Kingdom.
The police reported that they have boosted their presence on the streets and begun snap checks to prevent young people from engaging in further altercations, but tensions were still high on Sunday. On Saturday night, users of social media shared videos and images of a mob marching through Belgrave Road, the city’s Asian community’s hub, while yelling “Jai Shree Ram” (Victory to Lord Rama) slogans. The clip could not be independently verified by TRT World.
Hindu RW march in #Leicester, UK a Muslim majority area shouting Jai Sri Ram! Violence broke out. Maybe come live in Uttar Pradesh if you’re so invested. Why sully a foreign country with your pointless hate. #Leicester pic.twitter.com/Lq5Kzc6EMa
— Sangita (@Sanginamby) September 18, 2022
Several masked males can be seen marching in the videos posted on social media, while police officials try to control them. A few individuals within a crowd assembled on Belgrave Road threw glass bottles toward Muslim counter-protesters, according to Anadolu Agency.
9pm update. Muslims having a stand off with Hindu mobs on Belgrave road. #Leicester pic.twitter.com/F0j2cFCnuU
— Majid Freeman (@Majstar7) September 17, 2022
Muslim leaders have urged members of the community to refrain from posting unreliable news and videos on social media, which can fuel more misunderstanding.
17th September 2022
We have seen videos of breakouts of violence and disturbances of the peace around the Green Lane Road area.
We plea to all the community is please stay away and do not get involved. This is simple provocation and we need to let the police deal with it.
— FMO (@FMO_Leics) September 17, 2022
According to authorities, many police officers were sent to the area to boost security. Our city will not accept acts of violence or mayhem. The powers of dispersal and stop and search are in place and being deployed. We’re urging everyone to remain calm and go home. Sharing only verified and accurate information, the police force declared in a tweet. The police also denied a social media allegation that a mosque had been targeted.
Violence and disorder will not be tolerated in our city. Dispersal and stop and search powers are in place and are being used. We are calling for calm and telling everyone to return home. Only share information that has been checked and is true.
— Leicestershire Police (@leicspolice) September 17, 2022
In a later statement, the police said that they had taken control of the situation in Leicester’s east, that everyone had dispersed, and that they were looking into the matter. Since August 28, when India trounced Pakistan in a cricket match as part of the Asia Cup, tensions have been high.
The game was played in the UAE, but the animosity between the two longtime rivals was on display in Leicester when Indian fans flocked to the streets and chanted anti-Pakistani slogans. Since Narendra Modi was returned as prime minister of India in 2019, the far-right Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has gained support from individuals living abroad.
Police revealed that dozens were detained in East Leicester after animosities between the Hindu and Muslim communities reached a breaking point. Young males from both communities were mostly involved in the turmoil, which resulted in altercations and attacks on Saturday night, according to the BBC. According to reports in the British media, a standoff between the two populations was started on Saturday by an unannounced protest by Hindu males. On Sunday, there was reportedly a second protest with roughly 100 participants, but police claimed there was no further unrest throughout the night or on Monday.
Following the events, the police received several reports of acts of violence and property damage. Police reported that while the policing effort went on into Monday night, 25 officers, a police dog, 47 suspects, and one inmate were detained. A 20-year-old who admitted to possessing an offensive weapon was also given a 10-month prison term.
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