Man face charges of arson and demage to BC Sikh temple

• On March 26th, 2006 at approximately 3:15 p.m., Gurudwara Western Singh Sabha, Williams Lake was set on fire
  
• Interior was destroyed, Damage is estimated at $500,000.
• The cause of the fire is suspected to be arson and it is suspected that gasoline was poured throughout the gurudwara.
• Sean Alan Downey, 18-year-old male has been arrested and faces a charge of arson and damage to property.
• NRI sikhs of Williams Lake, B.C. has asked this message be relayed to the sangat worldwide.
• NRI Gurbax Saini, spokesperson for the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple says, the fire is devastating news for the entire community. "When a place of worship is under attack in our community, it doesn't matter if it is Christian or Sikh, it is unacceptable," says Saini.
• Saini says the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple was hit in a similar incident about 30 years ago. The fire caused a large amount of damage and was out of service for about three months, says Saini. Saini says the temple now has metal screens to protect against vandalism and this is not the way it should be in Canada. "Canada is a caring and compassionate society," says Saini.
• The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple is open to all worshippers, says Saini. "Whatever we can do to help," he says.
  Mayor Scott Nelson says the community is solidly behind the Sikh community. "We will do anything we can to help rebuild and find a temporary relocation," says Nelson.
  Both Charlie Wyse, MLA for Cariboo South and Bob Simpson, MLA Cariboo North extend their best wishes and empathy to the congregation.
  "The burning of the temple and one of its holy books is a loss to the entire community," says Wyse. Wyse and Simpson wish for an early return for the congregation to their place of worship and a rapid as healing process as can occur.
• The RCMP said the Crown is also asking that the man be remanded in custody for a 30-day psychiatric evaluation.

Any comments on this article or you have any news: Click here

Disclaimer
NRIinternet.com will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. We reserve the right to edit comments that are published.