London riots: Indians protect Southall gurdwara

From Prasun Sonwalkar
London, Aug 10 (PTI) Cries of 'Jo bole so nihal, sat sri
akal' rent the air as over 700 Sikhs and other Britons of
Indian origin gathered around the Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara in
Southall to protect the place of worship against rioting mobs
on the streets of London.
The gurdwara, the largest in London, brought together the
Asian community in Southall with people holding swords,
'kirpans' and hockey sticks.
There were reports about the possibility of the gurdwara
being targeted, but no such event was reported so far.
Reports from Southall said that hooded youths were seen
in the areas, but had been frightened off by the large
presence outside the gurdwara.
A group of rioters tried to attack the heart of the area
in the early hours on Tuesday, but soon groups gathered to
protect the gurdwara as community elders asked for help.
Gurdwara general secretary Parvinder Singh Garcha said:
"We want to show them (the rioters) we are here together. We
want for them to discuss if they have a problem, we will
address that with them but certainly we will not stand for any
kind of wanton violence".
Local resident Amarjit Singh Klair said: "We are working
alongside the police, they're doing what they can but they're
stretched. Why shouldn't we defend our homes, businesses and
places of worship? This is our area. There's lots of talk
about it kicking off here. But we're ready for them".
Turkish and Bangladeshi groups have also been chasing
would-be looters out of their neighbourhoods in east London.
Local vigilante groups have been formed in various areas
in London to protect homes and business establishments that
gave been vandalised by rioters - mainly of Afro-Caribbean
origin - in London over the past four days.
These include shops owned by businessmen of Indian origin
in Harrow and Ealing.
Southall in west London has a large population of Indian
origin, which rallied together when, apprehending violence,
elders in the gurdwara appealed to the community for help.
Groups of Sikh men stood guard at different parts of the
town, keeping in touch via their mobiles.