Cops probing likely use of Molotov cocktails in gurdwara fire

Natasha Chaku
Melbourne, Jan 14 (PTI) Australian police on Thursday
said the blaze in a gurdwara here was a "deliberate" act and
the possibility of arsonists using Molotov cocktails was being
probed, even as an outraged Sikh community called the incident
"race-related" and "an attack on Indians".

The partially-built Nanksar Thath Gurdwara in Lynbrook
area here was damaged due to the fire that broke out at 0030
hrs local time Wednesday (1900 hrs IST Tuesday).
Reacting to the incident, Gurdwara elder Satnam Singh
said the wilful destruction of a "God house" was an attack on
Indians.
"This is an attack on religion," he was quoted as saying
by 'The Australian'. "... this is a God house, everybody who
comes here prays to God."
When asked whether he believed the attack to be
race-related, Singh said: "Yes, (it is an) attack on Indians."
Detective Senior Constable Paul Stow, in charge of the
investigation, said police believed the arson to be a
"deliberately lit fire."
However, detectives were yet to find out whether the
incident had any race angle to it.
"At this stage there is nothing to suggest it is
(race-related) other than the fact that it happened to a
temple," Detective Constable Stow was quoted as saying.
"... It is believed to have been set on fire with the use
of Molotov cocktails early yesterday," the report said. (More)
PTI NC
RBT


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