Germany: At least 11 people were injured in a violent clash at a Gurudwara in the Duisburg area of Morse. Kirpans were used in the clash, injuring at least 11 people.
A tight police cordon has been put in place after the incident.
In the videos circulating on social media, it can be seen that the premises of the Gurudwara are in chaos due to the clash. In addition, the people present there can be seen fighting with each other. During this, it has been seen from the viral video that the people there used knives, traditional Sikh weapons, and kirpans.
According to the German newspaper Bild, the clash took place on Sunday at the Gurdwara Singh Sabha in North Rhine-Westphalia, and more than 40 people were involved in it. Authorities have deployed a special police unit to bring the situation under control. Witnesses said the violence may have been related to disputes over the management and finances of the gurdwara, but police have not confirmed this.
Police also reportedly used a helicopter for aerial surveillance after reports of gunfire.
The clashes began on Sunday afternoon and quickly escalated. According to a 56-year-old witness, shortly before the prayer service, the attackers used pepper spray, then one fired a pistol. He also said he saw knives.
Initial investigations suggest that internal disputes over the management and finances of the gurdwara, including the election of a new board and differences over control of community funds, could have led to the violence.
There is a dispute between the previous committee members and the current members. This also involves money belonging to the community. One said that there have been problems and difficulties for some time. As the violence unfolded, several people fled the building, some of them barefoot, according to an eyewitness.
Emergency responders who arrived at the scene treated the injured at the scene as the incident unfolded. Most of them reportedly suffered head injuries. Police cordoned off the area and entered the building after fearing an armed suspect, but no gunman was found. At least one person has been arrested in connection with the incident. Investigators have recovered live ammunition from the scene.
The incident has also drawn widespread condemnation and criticism from members of the Sikh community, with journalist Ravinder Singh Robin describing it as “shocking”. Sikhs were seen fighting inside the gurdwara, wearing turbans in the air. Kirpans (intended to protect the vulnerable) were used against each other, he said.