Four people have been injured following a brawl at a kabaddi tournament in Derby amid reports of gang violence involving guns and swords.
Armed police were called to a large disturbance at Elvaston Lane recreation ground, in Alvaston, just before 4pm on Sunday.
Derbyshire Constabulary said four men had been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and violent disorder. They remain in police custody.
Huge crowds, including families and young children, had gathered at the park to watch a kabaddi tournament, a popular team sport first played in India and played in Asian communities across the UK.
Witnesses say the event was ruined after clashes broke out reportedly among rival gangs. Videos and pictures uploaded to social media showed chaotic scenes of crowds fleeing after gunshots were supposedly fired.
Footage also appears to show men brandishing swords as kabaddi players lay on the ground to protect themselves.
Kulwinder Chhokar, the organiser of the event, told how rival gangs wrecked the semi-finals of a kabaddi tournament, saying: “There were people running around like headless chickens, and we thought ‘What the hell is going on?’
“It had been a brilliant day which ended in madness and we have no idea why. Gangs turned up, arguing and fighting on the pitch, and they had nothing to do with the competition. It was unbelievable.”
Mr Chhokar, a vice president of the local club, told how they had been trying to replay the unfinished tournament on Monday but they couldn’t because “the pitch remains cordoned off as a crime scene”.
“This section of the competition is now written off, the match cannot be replayed.”
Mike Singh, a newspaper printer, 44, added: “Suddenly there was a mad rush of people, all men dressed in black and masked, brandishing weapons - axes, knives and guns. It was shocking.
“We heard it was fighting between two rival gangs who had nothing to do with the competition but ruined it for everyone else.”
Initially, police said three people had been taken to hospital with injuries, but that figure was revised to four following an update on Monday. The exact cause of the injuries was not revealed.
Police appeal
Police have appealed for information following the arrests of four men aged 24, 28, 30 and 38.
Ch Supt Emma Aldred, of Derbyshire Constabulary, said: “We are keen to speak to anyone with information relating to the incident yesterday.
“We are aware of videos of the incident circulating online, we are carrying out investigations in relation to these and I would encourage anyone with footage to send it to us for inquiries to continue.
“Officers remain in the area to provide reassurance to the community, please speak to them if you have any information or contact us using the methods provided.”
Kabaddi is an ancient form of contact sport, combining wrestling and martial arts. Its name is from the Sanskrit “Kar-badhi”, which means “holding through hands”, and it is played in two teams of seven.
Sunday’s tournament was advertised on the England Kabaddi Federation website as part of a series of summer events. The Telegraph has contacted the federation for comment.
Fears over future tournaments
Speaking afterwards, some players voiced fears that the violence could restrict the staging of future tournaments in the UK.
Manga Mithapuria Powar wrote on Facebook: “Once again another kabaddi tournament in Derby has been ruined.
“This appalling behaviour is not acceptable, the tournament was full of families and children which were also at risk today with what has happened.
“If this kind of behaviour continues then our mother game is over. No one will be bringing kids here because of the fear of shots being fired again.
“Kabaddi players and the audience should not have to be involved in this risky situation. All these situations will make it harder for the future as councils will not give permission for kabaddi matches.”
Jas Uksingh, a Derby resident, wrote on Facebook: “What was supposed to be a positive and welcome return of our national motherland Punjabi sport of kabaddi in Derby, has sadly ended in shameful circumstances.
“Gang violence is not acceptable at sporting events, and should not be tolerated with the community. The UK Kabaddi Federation must take necessary steps and safeguards to stamp this thoughtless violence out from national tournaments.
“I hope those injured are not too serious and make a full recovery.”
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