The Asian Age – Sikh in US held over kirpan

Sunday 25 August 2012. An elderly Sikh man was allegedly beaten up by his neighbour in New Jersey following an altercation and later arrested by the police because of keeping a kirpan, an article of the Sikh faith.

This was on July 26, nearly 10 days before the shooting at Oak Creek gurdwara in Wisconsin, United Sikhs, a Sikh advocacy group, said Thursday.

It said Avtar Singh, 72, a petrol pump owner and one of the founding members of Glen Rock gurdwara in New Jersey, went to a neighbouring shop, owned by Edward Koscovski, to ask him to move his truck blocking entry to the petrol pump.

An altercation followed, in which Avtar Singh was brutally assaulted, the group claimed.

“Edward (started) hitting me, smashed my face, broke my teeth and kept punching me in the stomach. He grabbed my kirpan and threw it at his attendant,” Avtar Singh said. (PTI)

http://www.asianage.com/india/sikh-us-held-over-kirpan-663 

Met Police: Harassment & Removal of Kirpan from Sikh Woman (57yrs old) – Update

This will be the last update for a while:

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has taken a detailed interview and statement of Amarjit Kaur and is pursuing a full investigation into the conduct of the officers and will also consider what lessons can be learned with regards to training etc.

The Met has attempted to dissuade Amarjit Kaur from continuing with the investigation and instead opt for quicker local resolution with the local police and the two officers involved.

Amarjit Kaur, has refused this, as only a full investigation will provide the opportunity to make sure lessons are learned by the Met for the future.

Because of the numerous steps involved in the investigation, it is estimated that it will be late September at the earliest before the results of the investigation will be provided. If a satisfactory outcome is not achieved at that point, we will then decide what further steps should taken.

Gurjit Singh
Gurjit.Gill@gs.com

London Met Police: Harassment & Removal of Kirpan from Sikh Woman (57yrs old)

Latest : The programme will be broadcast today (Monday) at 6pm on Sikh Channel.

Sunday 15 July : A discussion show was filmed this evening: it included a narration of the incident by Amarjit Kaur followed by a discussion which included Mejindarpal Kaur of UNITED SIKHS. Sikh Channel have not yet confirmed when it will be aired. Unfortunately, they were not able to play it live today.

Earlier today a Greenwich police inspector addressed the sangat at Gurdwara Sahib Woolwich to convey an apology on behalf of the police. The inspector assured the sangat that the officers involved in the incident are being fully investigated and that the results of the investigation will be shared in due course. The family continue to push for a speedy response.

For further information please contact:

gurjit.gill@gs.com
07824 487 366

London Metropolitan Police: Harassment & Removal of Kirpan from Sikh Women (57yrs old) – 2 Updates

13 July 2nd Update

A meeting took place at Plumstead police station on the evening of 12th July with the Greenwich Borough Commander, Deputy Commander and a representative from the complaints department (or similar).

The community was represented by Atma Singh (Gurdwara Sahib Woolwich General Secretary), Nirmal Singh (Gurdwara Sahib Woolwich President) and Jagir Kaur Sekhon (Councillor – Greenwich Council). The seriousness of the case was impressed upon the police. We await their response to the complaint.

Sikh Channel have confirmed that they will hold a live show on Sunday 7pm at their Southall studio. Amarjit Kaur will be given an opportunity to describe what happened. Sikh Channel have requested a written statement/response from the police and have also invited the police to send a representative to the show. As yet the police have not confirmed their intentions. Mejindarpal Kaur, UNITED SIKHS chair, will attend the show also.

Gill, Gurjit

Gurjit.Gill@gs.com

13 July 1st Update

The kirpan has been returned to the home of Amarjit Kaur today by Chris Hafford (Superintendent and Deputy Borough Commander for Greenwich).

He was very apologetic, however, Amarjit Kaur made it very clear that we are pursuing the complaint further. Amarjit Kaur gave a detailed account of the incident, following which the Superintendent agreed that the behaviour was unacceptable and that the compliant should be continued.

Sikh Channel are arranging a show on the incident, likely this weekend.

For further information please contact:

gurjit.gill@gs.com
07824 487 366

London Metropolitan Police: Harassment & Removal of Kirpan from Sikh Women (57yrs old)

Request to sangat to support the family by putting pressure on the Metropolitan Police to take action against the officers involved.

Summary :

Amarjit Kaur (57 yrs) and her mother (80 yrs) were stopped in their car by traffic police in Woolwich, South East London. No offence was committed nor any driving regulation breached by Amarjit Kaur, it was a routine check. Amarjit Kaur has never committed any offence, traffic or otherwise, in the 38 years she has been a British citizen/resident.

Both officers acted very aggressively towards Amarjit Kaur throughout the 35 minute kerbside ordeal.

One officer forcibly removed Amarjit Kaur’s Kirpan without warning or reason.

Officers refused to return the Kirpan, claiming it was unlawful for Amarjit Kaur to carry it on her person. They later stated that only Sikh males are permitted to carry the Kirpan, and also attempted to force Amarjit Kaur to keep the Kirpan in her car boot.

No notice or written/verbal information was given to Amarjit Kaur by the officers, instead as they departed they waived the Kirpan in the air at Amarjit Kaur and said ‘we are keeping this’.

The actions and very aggressive tone of the officers made Amarjit Kaur feel very threatened, shaken and extremely upset.

Despite visits to Plumstead Police station (South East London) by  the family and many phone calls, the whereabouts of the Kirpan is not known and has not yet been returned.

A formal complaint has been filed at Plumstead Police station with reference CAD3332/7/ 7 .

For further information please contact:

gurjit.gill@gs.com
07824 487 366

Visit to the UK from 17 till 27 June 2011

On Friday June 17 I went by Eurostar to London St Pancras and from there to the house of my brother Amrik Singh in Hayes, Middlesex, just west of Southall. In the coming weeks I will post pictures of this visit. Monday 27 June I went back to Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

26 June, Grand Union Canal, east of Western Road
From here I walked through Southall Green and Montague Road to King Street

26 June, Southall, King Street, pub acquired by Afghan Ekta, as part of their Gurdwara building project 

26 June, Southall, King Street
Here we wear our kirpans openly !

26 June, Shepherds Bush, near the Overground station
Go through this subway, then turn left and you are at the Shepherd’s Bush Gurdwara

The last of my June 2011 UK pictures !
Harjinder Singh
 Man in Blue

The 5 Ks, pictorial

Kesh – Uncut hair
Kangha – Wooden Comb

Kara – Steel Bracelet

Kara – Steel Bracelet
Kirpan – Small Sword
Kachhera – Cotton ‘Boxershort’

Khalsa woman
Pag ~ Pagri ~ Dastar = Turban
Kirpan  - Small Sword