2024-08-05 14:13:39
London: How dangerous a rumour can be can be understood by looking at Britain. After the death of three girls in the Southport stabbing incident, news came on social media that the attacker was a Muslim refugee who had recently come to Britain. After this, Britain’s far-right started a protest which turned violent in no time. Hotels used to shelter asylum seekers in northern England were set on fire and vandalised. This is the UK’s worst protest in decades. On the sixth day of the protest, far-right and Muslim protesters have come face to face. Muslim groups and far-right clashed with each other in Bolton, chanting ‘Allah Hu Akbar’. In Middlesbrough, a mob targeted the homes of migrants and shouted anti-migrant slogans. At the same time, refugees can be seen attacking British people in a video. Amid violence in many cities of Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack on the hotel built for refugees and termed it ‘right-wing hooliganism’. In a statement given from ’10 Downing Street’ on Sunday afternoon, the Prime Minister addressed the nation amid the ongoing unrest in different parts of the country and said, ‘We will do whatever it takes to bring these goons to justice.’
Muslims worry about their safety
On Saturday, stones were thrown, fireworks were thrown and windows of a hotel housing asylum seekers in the country were smashed, shops were attacked and set on fire in Liverpool, Hull, Bristol, Leeds, Blackpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Belfast, Nottingham and Manchester, while several clashes broke out between mobs and police. Groups monitoring anti-Muslim incidents across Britain have said there have been a rise in reports of British Muslims expressing concerns about their safety and many are fearful of attending local mosques.
The accused was arrested
The 17-year-old accused, named Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, was arrested shortly after the attack in Southport on Monday. He was born in Wales and is from the village of Banks in Lancashire. His name was released after the court lifted the ban. He appeared at Liverpool City Magistrates Court, where he was charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder, as well as possession of a knife.
(With agency input.)