Delhi: Scores protest outside British High Commission against pro-Khalistan separatists

New Delhi, March 20

To mark their protest against pro-Khalistan separatists for pulling down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission in the UK, scores of people belonging to the Sikh community gathered outside the British High Commission in Chanakyapuri here on Monday.

The protestors raised the slogan "Bharat humara swabhiman hai" (India is our pride) while carrying placards and the Tricolour.

Meanwhile, a man has been arrested after some pro-Khalistani groups vandalised the Indian High Commission in London and detached the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building.

Videos on social media showed a crowd waving yellow 'Khalistan' banners and a man detaching the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building, the BBC reported.

Two security guards were injured in the violent protest and an investigation has been launched.

A media report said that crowd members were believed to be supporters of a Sikh separatist movement.

Officers were called to the Indian High Commission at about 13:50 GMT on Sunday.

Upon arrival "the majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police," Metropolitan Police (Met) was quoted by British broadcaster PA news agency as saying.

The force's spokesperson said "windows were broken" and two members of security staff sustained minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment.

Responding to the incident, London's mayor Sadiq Khan said in a tweet: "I condemn the violent disorder and vandalism that took place at the Indian High Commission today (Sunday). There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour."

An investigation has been launched by the Met, he added.

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

--IANS