Arrests after Leicester Mahatma Gandhi statue vandalised

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-27800112

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Two men have been arrested after a Leicester statue of Mahatma Gandhi was vandalised on Saturday.

"Never forget 84" and "We want justice #84" was sprayed on the base of the statue situated on Belgrave Road, also known as the Golden Mile.

The graffiti appeared to refer to the 1984 Golden Temple attack in India.

Leicestershire Police said the men aged, 19 and 22, were also arrested in connection with damage to street furniture between Friday and Saturday.

Both men are in police custody.

Insp Lucy Batchelor, from Keyham Lane policing unit, said: "Extensive inquiries have been conducted in the last few days including viewing CCTV from the area.

"Despite the arrests we would still like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have any information which may assist our inquiries."

The graffiti was removed from the Mahatma Gandhi statue on Sunday.

Sikhs from Leicester and around the UK had marched through London to mark the 30th anniversary of the storming of the Golden Temple by the Indian army.

They also used the event to protest about what they claim was India's failure to prevent the killing of thousands of Sikhs in rioting later in 1984.