Surrey RCMP made three arrests on Sunday (Nov. 3) after a conflict ensued outside the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir.
Frontline officers were already at the Hindu temple, located on 140 Street in Surrey, to maintain public safety during Consular Camps, when hundreds of protesters with opposing views arrived and began demonstrating, said a Surrey RCMP release.
Consular camps, which often take place at temples, are held in order to provide consular services to Indian and Indian Canadian citizens.
Several more police officers were deployed to the area to keep the peace, the release noted.
"Violence broke out between groups and three persons were arrested. No individuals or police officers were injured. The crowd dispersed within the hour following the arrests," the release stated.
Several posts on X, formerly Twitter, and other social media platforms showed scenes of the protest, the arrests and the many police vehicles that attended.
The suspects were all released from police custody while investigators from Surrey RCMP’s General Investigation Unit complete their investigation.
Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards, Officer-in-Charge of Surrey RCMP, continues to meet with local temple leaders to address their concerns and ease tensions, said the release.
