'Exercise due caution': India issues travel advisory amid UK riots
The High Commission of India in London has issued a travel advisory to Indian nationals planning to visit the United Kingdom. The advisory urges travelers to "exercise caution and stay vigilant" due to violent protests sweeping across the nation. This warning comes in response to the UK's most severe outbreak of rioting in over a decade, which has reportedly seen attacks on migrants, particularly Muslims.
Why does this story matter?
The unrest was triggered by the stabbing of three young girls in Southport last week. Anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim groups have exploited this incident, spreading false information online about the suspect being a radical Islamist, reports said. However, police have confirmed that the 17-year-old suspect, born in Britain to Rwandan immigrant parents, is not being treated as a terrorist threat. Nearly 400 people have been arrested since the violence began, straining police resources and causing significant disruption within local communities.
UK leaders condemn violence, promise legal action
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly condemned the violence, stating that those targeting Muslim communities will face legal consequences. "Whatever the apparent motivation, this is not protest, it is pure violence and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities," Starmer said. He also pledged "swift criminal sanctions" against those responsible for the unrest.
Read: Indian High Commission's advisory here
UK authorities vow to punish rioters
Starmer condemned an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers as "far-right thuggery," vowing to bring those responsible to justice. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has also issued stern warning to the rioters. Cooper warned the mobs they will "pay the price" for such "criminal disorder and violent thuggery." She added that there is no excuse for violence of any kind and reiterated that the government fully supports police efforts to maintain public safety.
Counter-protests in response to far-right demonstrations
In response to the far-right demonstrations, counter-protests have emerged across the UK. Various groups, including anti-racism advocates and religious leaders, are calling for calm amidst the unrest. In Belfast, a significant anti-racism rally took place with the aim of countering the anti-Islamic sentiments expressed by a smaller group.
