Armed police have surrounded a Sikh temple in Leamington, Warwickshire, after a group of up to 30 men armed with swords stormed the building, reportedly due to a mixed marriage taking place in the temple.
The men are believed to have entered the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Tachbrook Park Drive at around 6:45am Sunday morning.
Warwickshire Police said the incident was being treated as an “aggravated trespass” and that it was part of an “ongoing local dispute” and is not linked to terrorism.
A spokesman for the force added: “We believe that some of the men are in possession of bladed items and as such armed officers have been deployed to the scene.”
The BBC have reported that the stand-off was due to a marriage between a Sikh and non-Sikh couple that was due to take place.
Jatinder Singh Birdi, a former treasurer at the temple, said that mixed marriages have been a contentious issue, with a minority opposing using the temple for such services.
“There have been tensions that have been going on for a couple of years with some people objecting to mixed marriages in taking place in the gurdwara,” he said.
“The general consensus is people are respectful of mixed marriages if the traditions are respected.
“Nothing has happened on this level before.
“This is meant to be one of the happiest moments of somebody’s life – it shows a lack of respect.”
Officers and religious leaders are currently inside the temple attempting to negotiate a peaceful resolution.
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/09/11/30-strong-sword-gang-storm-sikh-temple-leamington/