After London, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, prompting sharp condemnation from Indian Americans who demanded immediate action against those responsible for it. The incident happened on Sunday.
Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters broke open the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two so-called Khalistani flags inside the Consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed these flags.
US reacts
Meanwhile, the United States condemned the attack and said, " The attack against the Indian Consulate and any attack against diplomatic facilities within the United States. We pledge to defend the safety and security of these facilities as well as the diplomats who work within them."
Soon thereafter, a group of angry protesters entered the consulate premises and started hitting the door and windows with iron rods.
Community leader Ajay Bhutoria strongly condemned the attack by pro-Khalistan protesters on the Consulate of India building in San Francisco. "This act of violence is not only a threat to the diplomatic relations between the United States and India but also an attack on the peace and harmony of our community," he said.
Sikh community urges to maintain peace
In a statement, Bhutoria urged local authorities to take immediate action against those responsible for this attack and bring them to justice. "I also call on all members of our community to unite and promote peace and harmony," he said.
FIIDS said it is extremely concerning to see that the UK and the US have failed to fulfil the commitments as per Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic missions.
"We would urge law and order institutions like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI as well as the CIA to ensure that terrorism finds no place and support in the United States of America,” FIIDS said.
It said that Pakistan's spy agency ISI is behind instigating and funding Sikh radicalisation with false propaganda. "We ask Indian Americans including Sikh-majority to rise against the extremism,” FIIDS said.
Heinous act
Expressing his “heartfelt solidarity” with the government of India, Bhutoria said he stands with them during this difficult time. “Such heinous acts of violence have no place in our society, and we must all come together to condemn and resist them,” he said.
"Let us work together towards a world where all communities can live in peace and mutual respect. We must not let such incidents divide us or sow the seeds of hatred and violence. Our strength lies in our unity, and together we can overcome any challenge,” he said.
In Canberra, Khalistan supporters gathered outside the Australian parliament to protest against the police crackdown on radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates in Punjab.
(With inputs from PTI)
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