Khalistani flags raised after serious violence at Kabaddi tournament in UK's Derby

London, Aug 22: Four men aged 24, 28, 30 and 38 have been arrested by Derbyshire police on 20th Aug, on suspicion of possessing a firearm and violent disorder after a clash broke out at the Kabaddi tournament in Derby. As per reports, gunshots were fired, and men fought using swords, machetes and rods. Around four people were rushed to the hospital, out of which one was reportedly in serious condition.

 

 

 

 

Reportedly, at around 4 PM, the armed police reached the event happening at Bridle Gate Lane in Alvaston after receiving a call about the clash. Videos of the incident went viral on social media in which around 50 masked men can be seen barging into the event site with rods, huge swords, knives and machetes near the food stalls. As soon as they entered the event site, a fight between the two groups broke out while the fans who visited to watch Kabaddi ran for their lives.

 

 

 

British media reported an eyewitness saying that one of the victims was shot while the attackers chopped up the other. Some of the fans ran away, leaving their vehicles at the site after the attack. In another video, a group of men were seen surrounding an injured man in the group. They kept hacking him with swords and knives while he stayed on the ground screaming and covered in blood. Reportedly, he was shot before being attacked by the swords.

 

 

 

 

 

In an official statement, the Derbyshire police said that they have arrested four men. The police have requested the public to submit video footage of the incident to identify and arrest the culprits. Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said, “We are keen to speak to anyone with information about yesterday’s incident. We are aware of videos of the incident circulating online, we are carrying out investigations in relation to these, and I would encourage anyone with footage to send it to us for enquiries to continue. Officers remain in the area to provide reassurance to the community; please speak to them if you have any information or contact us using the methods provided.”

 

 

 

 

 

Indian media has reported the incident stating that Khalistani flags were seen hoisted during the Kabaddi event that was organised by England Kabaddi Federation UK (EKF). As per EKF, the Home Office has recognised Kabaddi’s official governing body in the UK. There are sixteen Kabaddi clubs in the UK associated with the Federation. EKF’s general secretary Surinder Singh Manak said in a statement that the attackers could not get past the crowd barriers that were protecting the pitch. While it was a horrific and terrifying incident, no bystander (player, official or spectator) was in any way attacked or involved. Initial unconfirmed enquiries indicate that it was a pre-arranged fight between rival gangs based in Midlands, Manak said. “EKF wishes to emphasise that the gangs in question do not have any links or connections with any EKF-affiliated club or its members,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

The incident was made public by TOI UK journalist Naomi Canton, where she has detailed the incident. Sharing the statement from the England Kabaddi Federation (UK), Canton has tweeted that "On behalf of England Kabaddi Federation (UK) I write to advise that EKF condemns the incident that took place yesterday at Derby Kabaddi Tournament in strongest terms possible. EKF understands that a fight broke out between unknown individuals in the car park which then spread as far as the entrance gates of the Kabaddi playing areas which as always was secured by 2 meter high mesh security fence. However, the individuals involved did not get past the crowd barriers protecting the pitch."

 

 

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