Violence erupts at Wolverhampton Sikh temple meeting

Trouble flared at Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Sedgley Street, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton. It happened during the selection of the committee to run the temple.

Witnesses said the vice president had his turban torn off - a grossly disrespectful move - during the fracas and two people were hurt. One needed hospital treatment.

It was said that trouble flared in the prayer room as the names of those chosen to sit on the 25-strong committee were disclosed to a congregation estimated at more than 1000-strong.

Hecklers interrupted proceedings with shouts of protest at the proposed make up of the powerful group, the membership of which is changed every two years.

The disturbance reportedly got worse as it spilled downstairs into the office used by senior officials of the temple. Witnesses said too many people tried to cram into the room and a fight broke out during which a man allegedly drew a knife.

Punches were also reportedly thrown as groups representing rival factions clashed on Sunday afternoon.

One witness claimed: "Objections to the make-up of the committee could have been made in writing but these people chose to act like hooligans. They represented a small minority of the congregation and it was quickly apparent that the support they had anticipated was not there

"The trouble then transferred to an office downstairs where some of those who had been protesting in the prayer room tried to force their way in. Everything then went haywire.

"There was a fight, one man drew a knife and the vice president of the temple was assaulted. He had his turban forcibly removed which is an act of great disrespect.

"A large number of police officers were on the scene very quickly. It was as if they had been warned there might be trouble and were prepared to take action."

There is believed to have been simmering unrest among some of the congregation since the previous Sunday when five people were chosen to selected the controlling committee, as is the normal custom.

One critic said: "The problem stems from the fact that power is in the hands of too few people and others with different views do not get a look in."

Joanne Hunt from West Midlands Police confirmed: "Officers responded to reports of disorder at a Wolverhampton temple after a large crowd had gathered to mark the announcement of a new committee.

"Officers arrived to find a large group of people gathered at the temple. Two people were reported as having been injured during a small disorder inside a room of the temple. One of the men received hospital treatment to a facial injury. An investigation has been launched and local officers urge anyone with information to contact them by dialling 101."

Officials at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara said their president was unavailable for comment.