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Vaisakhi procession marred by
fighting, one stabbed
WSN Network
BIRMINGHAM: One person was fighting for life
in hospital after being repeatedly stabbed as Vaisakhi celebrations
in Birmingham erupted into violence. More than a dozen other people
were also injured in the trouble which began in Handsworth Park and
spread to surrounding streets, the Birmingham Mail reported.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the stabbing.
The BBC quoted witnesses saying they saw ceremonial swords being
drawn and men carrying sticks. A fleet of nine ambulances were sent
to scene, and paramedics gave first aid to victims as the violence
continued for more than four hours on Monday.
The ambulance crews paid tribute to police officers for keeping a
second stabbed man alive by battling to stop him from bleeding.
Officers were forced to close the park, in Holly Road, and
surrounding roads and urged people to stay away from the area.
A paramedic said one man stood in front of the ambulance and said:
"Leave him, let him die."
An estimated 100,000 people were enjoying the event when the
violence started at 3pm and the ambulance services received the 999
calls till many hours after the violence.
The stabbed man has not been named. An investigation was under way
into what went wrong at the normally peaceful event. No one was
immediately available for comment from the organisers
A police spokesman said two processions to the park - from Smethwick
and Lozells - passed off peacefully.
25
April, 2007
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