BRAWL: Multiple stabbings at Sikh temple rumble in northern California

The Tierra Buena Sikh Temple in Yuba City, Calif. Submitted photo

VANCOUVER DESI

A brawl reportedly linked to a power struggle among a Sikh temple’s directorship resulted in two men being stabbed and several others injured Saturday night, according to an in-depth article by Rob Parsons of the Appeal-Democrat.

Reportedly, more than a dozen other people were also pepper-sprayed outside the Tierra Buena Sikh Temple in Yuba City, Calif.

“It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened here,” said Dave Chima, a temple director. “It’s just awful.”

“It’s so, so sad, the group came to attack the people,” said Tejinder Singh Dosanjh, another director.

Besides the fact there have not been arrests, also of concernt is that it remains unclear who was responsible for the clash. Dozens of witnesses told police wildly differing stories.

According to the Appeal-Democrat article, violence erupted around 6:45 p.m. as a board of directors meeting ended at the temple in the 2400 block of Tierra Buena Road, witnesses said.

As some directors left through the north parking lot, they were confronted by group of men and attacked with shovels, broom handles and sticks, according to multiple witnesses.

“They jumped on us with sticks when we were walking to our cars,” said Surjit Bains.

There were also multiple reports of firearms being drawn, though no reports of gunfire.

“It was a plan, they had a plan,” said Jasbir Bains, who said his brother was one of the men stabbed.

At some point during the fighting, someone showered as many as 15 men with pepper spray.

A large number of women and children were still inside the temple during the incident.

Deputies could not confirm the identities of the victims or suspected attackers. Investigators struggled to sort out conflicting accounts. “What happened depends on which group is telling the story,” Niswonger said. “Both sides are saying they were attacked.”

Tags: Sikhs