worshippers wielding swords and cricket bats interrupted a prayer
session to attack their rivals in a vicious power struggle, police and
witnesses said.
Rival factions at the Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Center in South
Richmond Hill have been bickering for months over control, authorities
and members said.
The dispute reached a bloody climax yesterday when the infighting turned
violent, accompanied by screams, taunts and death threats.
The alleged attackers -- armed with at least one sword about 40 inches
long, and another sword, according to a witness -- were part of the old
guard that had been recently voted out of power but refused to accept
the decision, even going to court to challenge the election.
"We just went to pray," said M.K. Singh, who received stitches and
staples to close a head wound. "We walked inside, and they started
attacking.
"They cut me. They tried to cut my arm off, but the sword got caught on
[something]. I'm very lucky."
New temple President Gurmej Singh said he and his supporters had come to
pray despite knowing there could be trouble.
Police had been deployed outside the two-story center in case anything
happened, but the violence broke out inside.
The attackers brought the long sword and at least one other blade, as
well as a hammer, mallet and cricket bats to the temple at 101st Avenue
and 114th Street at around 11 a.m., witnesses and police said.
Three people were reported injured, including a cop who tried to
intervene, police said.
A witness said at least seven others were hurt as victims fought back.
None suffered life-threatening injuries.
Seven people were arrested, including Harinder Singh, 47, who was
charged with assault after allegedly punching a man in the eye. Others
were charged with unlawful assembly, resisting arrest, rioting, and
disrupting a religious service.
At the 102nd Precinct, where the suspects were processed, cops struggled
to keep the two sides apart.
"Something is behind this," said Gurmej Singh, who accused the old
regime of financial mismanagement. "It's money."
He said the perpetrators vowed to attack again next week.
http://yourjewishnews.com/5747.aspx
I have some Sikhs living on my block. Wonder if this is the temple they
attend.
--
Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups.
For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum
* Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/
* It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls.
* Read the latest breaking news, and more.
No comments:
Post a Comment