Vandalism by pro-Khalistan protesters: UK government vows to take Indian mission security seriously

Am appalled by today’s attack on the Indian High Commission in London. This is a completely unacceptable action against the integrity of the Mission and its staff. The UK Government will always take the security of the Indian High Commission seriously.

— Lord (Tariq)Ahmad of Wimbledon (@tariqahmadbt) March 19, 2023

Officials from the mission said the “attempted but failed” attack had been foiled and that the tricolour was now flying “grander”. An arrest was also made in the case.

#WATCH | United Kingdom: Khalistani elements attempt to pull down the Indian flag but the flag was rescued by Indian security personnel at the High Commission of India, London.

(Source: MATV, London)

(Note: Abusive language at the end) pic.twitter.com/QP30v6q2G0

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

The Metropolitan Police said two members of security staff sustained minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment. An investigation has been launched.

“Windows were broken at the High Commission building,” the police statement said. “Officers attended the location. The majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police. An investigation was launched, and one male was arrested nearby a short time later on suspicion of violent disorder. Enquiries continue,” the statement added.

I condemn the violent disorder and vandalism that took place at the Indian High Commission today. There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour.

An investigation has been launched by the Met into today’s events.

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) March 19, 2023

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the incident “utterly shocking” and a “major insult”. “The real problem is not inside the High Commission but on the premises outside which is the responsibility of the local authorities, in this case the British Authorities, to protect. If the British Police are completely derelict in their duty and they allow this nonsense to happen, this is a major insult that we can’t tolerate,” Tharoor was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Responding to the incident, London’s mayor Sadiq Khan said he condemned “the violent disorder and vandalism that took place”. “There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour,” he tweeted.

I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the @HCI_London – totally unacceptable.

— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) March 19, 2023

The British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis described the incident as “disgraceful” and “totally unacceptable”.

India lodged a strong protest against the incident on Sunday and summoned “senior-most” UK diplomat, Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott.

“India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK,” the MEA said, adding, “It is expected that the UK Government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in today’s incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents”.

(With PTI inputs)