Four people have been arrested.
In a shocking incident, violent protests rocked Indian High Commission in London when Indians and people of Indian origin were peacefully celebrating Independence Day. Pakistanis and Britishers of Pakistani origin attacked Indians, allegedly targetting women and children and tried to harm them by throwing objects. Police had an extremely hard time to get the situation under control and arrested four for affray, obstruction of police and possession of an offensive weapon, reported Reuters.
BJP's Foreign Affairs Department head Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale dubbed the incident as condemnable. He tweeted, "What happened today in front of INDIAN High Commission in London is quite deplorable. @BBCWorld
will never report it. Women and children who came to celebrate Independence Day were abused, eggs and water bottle thrown on them by Paki goons."
Describing what has happened, Chauthaiwale said, "People of Indian origin were surrounded by large number of protesters, threatening physical attacks. Stones were thrown at HC building, Indian flag was damaged. Police were outnumbered."
He also asked London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the local police to take strong action to stop such violence.
BJP's Foreign Affairs Department head Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale said that timely intervention from the High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanashyam saved the day. He also said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been briefed about the matter, who is keeping tab on the situation.
Chauthaiwale said, "Everyone was brought inside the building, they were offered food and water and were safely sent back to their homes". Indians and PIOs who were there to take part in the cultural event said that police arrived way late which got the situation out of control. And they were outnumbered heavily by the pro-Pakistani protesters who threw eggs, glass bottles etc.
With Reuters inputs
1. What were the 'protests' all about?
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Pak-sponsored protesters strategically chose the time when Indians were celebrating 73rd Independence Day. Four people were arrested for affray, obstruction of police and possession of an offensive weapon, police said. "One person was injured during the demonstrations," they said.
The protesters were eager to propagate the Pakistani narrative on Kashmir and also promote their pipe dream of Khalistan.
(Image courtesy Reuters)
2. Police recovered weapons from protesters
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A Reuters photograph showed police carrying away a large curved knife from the protest. Many of the London protesters had come to the capital from other English cities on specially chartered buses.
Thousands of murderous #Pakistan thugs who were bussed in from all over #Britain tried to force their way into #India High Commission. This was a planned assault allowed under #London Mayor Sadiq Khan's watch. #Londonistan just got more dangerous on 15 August. @UKinIndia pic.twitter.com/qYW3xwrlAH
— Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) August 15, 2019
(Image courtesy Reuters)
3. Indians celebrating Independence Day were attacked
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Indians had come to take part in a cultural event but were caught unawares with the huge violent protests.
(Image courtesy Reuters)
4. Police trying to bring Pakistani protesters under control
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According to reports, protesters in a coordinated fashion tried to surround the Indian High Commission building from two sides. The Indians and PIOs were left in the lurch for few hours with few law enforcement officials coming to their rescue. Finally riot police came and brought the situation under control.
(Image courtesy Reuters)
