PIO’s biz torched amid Belfast unrest

London: Members of the Indian community in North­ern Ireland have expressed fear and anxiety after anti-immigrant unrest in Belfast saw an Indian-origin business targeted and reports emerged of threats against migrants.

An under-construction grocery store owned by an Indian-origin businessman was set afire on Shankill Road during the disturbances. The businessman, who has lived in the UK for 18 years, including the past eight in Northern Ireland, told BBC the attack had left him “heartbroken”.

Dr Satyavir Singhal, chairman of the Indian Commun­ity Centre in the UK, called for dialogue and urged communities to address concerns through discussion rather than violence. Indian-origin nurse Biji Jose, who has lived in Northern Ireland for 23 years, said many in the community were worried about their safety and future. “At the moment, I can see anxious faces and too much worry about their families, children, future jobs, insecurity about walking around the street freely like before,” she said.

Jose said younger colleagues had contacted her and were “really worried” about their safety. Eemran, an Indian-origin engineer who has lived in Belfast for over a year, told AFP he witnessed rioters setting bins afire and throwing petrol bombs.

People Before Profit assembly member Gerry Carroll said migrants were stockpiling food fearing unrest. Mean­whi­le, a viral social media post said a young Indian man was chased by anti-immigration protesters before being helped by a local resident. -Agencies