11 PM Tuesday BST – Sikhs are being arrested by the police for carrying exposed ‘Sri Sahibs’. Arrests have been made in Handsworth.
LONDON (August 9, 2011)–There have been reports of continued riots, including attacks on Sikhs and Gurdwaras. Our correspondents in London are keeping a close eye on recent activities in several cities where rioters have attacked Gurdwaras, along with some mosques and temples. According to recently intercepted information, attackers are aiming at the Broadway area of Southall, which means the Park Ave. Gurdwara may come under attack from the hooligans.
The following message is being spread to instigate attacks in Southall: “All my popeye Acton Northolt Greenford Ruislip Hayes West Drayton Slough Southall Gurnell Cowgate Marnham Hammresmith Harlseden and Wembly niggas that linked up today Roll thru tomoro at 6pm sharp in Southall broadway hit up the jewellers!”
Urgent benti to sangat: Please advise all your female relatives and friends NOT to venture out wearing gold jewelry. There have been several cases in the Midlands where opportunist hooligans have attempted to capitalize on rocketing gold prices by robbing Punjabi ladies of their necklaces and bangles.
Guidelines for Protecting Gurdwaras Sikh Council UK
By: Sikh Council UK
London (August 9, 2011)–In light of the recent riots in London and now spreading to cities across the UK, there have been some minor incidents reported at few of the Gurdwara across the UK, The Sikh Council UK is putting out this document for the Gurdwaras in order to provide some basic guidelines in order to preserve the sanctity of the Gurdwara Sahib, safety and well being of the community as well as the Sevadars of the Gurdwaras.
The Sikh Council and the wider Sikh community wholly condemns this totally unnecessary and unwarranted violence which is no more than vandalism, profiteering and opportunistic by the few but is bring misery and heartaches to thousands across the country. The Sikh council is fully supportive and grateful to our police force for dealing with this extreme situation with fortitude and bravery.
Basic steps to ensure Safety & Sanctity:
- Remain vigilant, especially in the evening, close & lock doors and where shutters are installed, please use them
- Sangat Members should refrain from wearing Jewellery while out on the street for their own personal safety
- Ensure emergency procedures are written in Punjabi & English and trained sevadars are at hand to help If the Gurdwaras have Gianis resident at the premises, ensure that they are aware of the emergency procedure services and they should be provided with:
- a written document in Punjabi in how to contact emergency services
- Contact numbers of the sevadars –who are close to the Gurdwara Sahib and can be contacted immediately (mobiles are not switched off)
- Evacuation procedure and safe keeping of Guru Granth Sahib Ji
- It would be advisable to have sevadars also stay at the Gurdwara overnight, especially in affected areas, like London
- Local Sangat to remain vigilant and keep an eye in the evening, report any incidence to the police or Gurdwara representatives. As a long term and future policy, register and train the Gurdwara sevadars in handling emergencies and community safety – SC UK is working with Sikhs in England, who provide this training to roll out to all Gurdwaras
- Ensure that the Gurdwara is registered to report & record on the national incident register and is a member of the IAG (Independent Advisory Group) to the police in your area- contact Sikhs in England
for further information (www.sikhs.org.uk).
Published On behalf of Sikh Council UK
Originally published by sikhcounciluk.org
Sikh Council UK can be reached at [email protected];
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