Pro-Khalistan Protesters Throw Ink As Security Keeps Them Away From Indian Mission, UK
Pro-Khalistan protesters today shouted slogans, threw water bottles and ink at London’s Metropolitan Police, who kept them confined on the other side of the road, at a safe distance from the Indian High Commission. For the protesters, the immediate provocation was a larger Indian flag draped over the walls of India House. High Commission staff retaliated with a bigger flag a day after Sunday’s unprecedented vandalism in which the Indian flag was pulled down and the building’s windows smashed.
Police in London appear to be prepared for demonstrations of force by protesters today, deploying forces in 24 buses as well as mounted police.
While the protest started with small numbers, the numbers grew as the evening progressed. Around 2,000 protesters had turned up at the site by late evening, police said. Tempers turned sour when they tried to break through the barricade and aimed bottles of water, ink and powder paint at the police. Police announced that they would evacuate the site if the protest escalated further.
The increased security in London came shortly after New Delhi police removed traffic blocks outside the British High Commission, a move some interpreted as a sign of India’s displeasure with the disruption in London. Police explained the move as removing barricades that were “creating obstacles” for commuters.
Late on Sunday, India summoned a senior British diplomat in Delhi to register its strong protest against the “complete absence of British security” as a mob targeted a building to protest the crackdown on Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh and his group.
“An explanation was sought for the total absence of British security which allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises,” the Foreign Office said.
The increased security came ahead of a planned protest on Wednesday.
The ministry also said the UK government was expected to “take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each of those involved in the incident” and put strict measures in place to prevent a repeat.
While British officials condemned the vandalism as “disgraceful” and “totally unacceptable”, Scotland Yard only arrested one person over the incident. The person is now out on bail.
On Wednesday, another protest was held by pro-Chalistan groups who sent out invitations on WhatsApp. The Federation of Sikh Groups, which signed some of the invitations, was unavailable for comment.
