'Indian Mission In Touch With UK To Prevent Further Attacks': MEA On Leicester Incident

"We are also in contact at the diplomatic level and with UK security agencies in this regard," MEA spokesperson said.

Leicestershire Police at the spot of the incident

Source : Twitter

New Delhi: In the wake of an unrest in England’s Leicester city involving youths from the Hindu and Muslim communities over the weekend, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that India is in touch with UK to prevent further violence and also take action against the perpetrators.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “The Indian High Commission in London has issued a statement condemning the recent incidents of violence in Britain. We are also in contact at the diplomatic level and with UK security agencies in this regard. Apart from this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also talked about this with his British counterpart.”

Notably, the Indian High Commission on Monday had strongly condemned the act of violence against the Indian community and vandalisation of Hindu premises in the eastern England city of Leicester and sought immediate action against those who were involved in the incident.

The UK police on Wednesday said that a "minor disorder" during a protest outside a Hindu temple in Birmingham involving fireworks targeted at police officers has resulted in a man's arrest and stop and search powers being deployed.

It is to be noted that during his meeting in New York with British counterpart James Cleverly, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had raised this issue of violence. The minister had also shared his concerns about the security and welfare of the Indian community in the UK with his British counterpart and welcomed his assurances on the same.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "A warm conversation with UK Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly. Discussed taking forward Roadmap 2030. Appreciate his commitment to deepening our partnership."

Notably, the weekend's violence in Leicester city was the culmination of several weeks of growing tension between parts of the Hindu and Muslim communities. As per reports, the cycle of violence had started on August 28 after India won the Asia Cup T20 cricket match against Pakistan in Dubai. The incident sparked clashes in Melton Road, Belgrave.