LONDON: British police on Saturday arrested four individuals identified as Hindu extremist protesters after a scuffle broke out outside the Pakistani High Commission in London.
The incident occurred when a group of Indian protesters attempted to force their way towards the diplomatic premises. London’s Metropolitan Police swiftly intervened and prevented the group from reaching the High Commission.
The protesters were reportedly affiliated with extremist Hindu outfits and had gathered in response to a call for protest issued by hardline elements opposing Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue.
Law enforcement officers arrested four of the individuals for causing public disorder and rioting. Police maintained a heavy presence in the area to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Meanwhile, a large number of British Pakistanis and Kashmiris also assembled outside the High Commission to express solidarity with Pakistan and to counter what they termed as “provocative and threatening behaviour” by the Indian demonstrators.
Waving Pakistani and Kashmiri flags, participants chanted slogans in support of Pakistan and the Pakistan Army, vowing to continue raising their voice for the rights of Kashmiris.
The peaceful pro-Pakistan demonstration was held in direct response to the protest announced by Indian extremist elements. Organisers said the gathering aimed to show unity among the diaspora and to condemn what they described as “intimidation tactics” by Indian groups abroad.
