Three people were arrested after duelling protests erupted into violence outside a Hindu temple in Surrey, B.C., over the weekend, according to the RCMP.
The protest and counter-protest took place Sunday as the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir was hosting a “consular camp,” which provides seniors of Indian descent a chance to obtain important documents, including certificates necessary for receiving their pensions, without having to visit an embassy.
In a news release, Surrey RCMP said officers were already stationed at the temple Sunday afternoon when “hundreds of protestors with opposing views arrived and began demonstrating.”
Videos from the scene show one group of demonstrators waving flags of the Khalistan separatist movement, which seeks an independent homeland for Sikhs within the current borders of India, while another group was protesting across the street.
“Violence broke out between groups and three persons were arrested,” said Sgt. Tammy Lobb, in the RCMP’s release. “No individuals …