Violence Between Hindus And Muslims in Leicester Fueled by Gangs From Birmingham

LEICESTER (UK), (IANS) – Violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Leicester were the result of outsiders coming to the city and inflaming existing tensions, community leaders have said, the media reported.

Over the weekend, police made 47 arrests after clashes between large groups of mostly young men in the east part of the city, as tensions boiled over following a recent cricket match between India and Pakistan.

But the people of Leicester say the relationship between the two communities has been strained for months and has been inflamed by misinformation being spread online and outsiders who have traveled to the city from nearby areas such as Birmingham, the Daily Mail reported.

Police officers were diverted from the Queen’s funeral preparations in London to deal with the most recent unrest which erupted on September 18 and spilled over to the next day.

So far, one man from Leicester has been jailed for his role in the incident but police have confirmed that a number of those arrested were from outside the city.

Amos Noronha, 20, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in connection with the violence but no further details of his crime were released. Noronha was one of 47 people arrested across the weekend after the clashes which resulted in 16 officers being injured.

Those arrested stand accused of an array of offenses including affray, assault, possession of weapons and violent disorder.