BiggChan

Not too aware of this particular case although I am aware that the same thing happened at the Gurdas Mann concert at Wembley. Presuming Gurdas Mann professes the Sikh faith, he doesn't seem to be too bothered or vocal about what's happening to his 'brethren'. Maybe Amritdhari Sikhs and Sikhs in general should consider the fact that if Mann himself isnt bothered about whats happening to his fans, why should they spend their hard earned cash on concert tickets and records. Boycott him! It will speak volumes when it hits people in the pockets. Whilst on the subject, boycott Nirmal Sidhu the <banned word filter activated> too. lol.

Four held for dera follower’s murder Rajay Deep Tribune News Service Bathinda, August 4 With the arrest of four persons, the Mansa police today claimed to have cracked the murder of a dera follower Lily Kumar of Alampur Mandra, Mansa. Gamdoor Singh, alias Gora of Jhanduke village, Amrit Pal Singh, Raj Singh and Binder Singh, all belonging to village Kotdharmu, were arrested in the case. Giving this information on the phone late this evening, SSP Mansa, Manminder Singh said the arrested persons had confessed to the crime. The police recovered a .315-bore rifle, .32-bore pistol and a 9-mm pistol from their possession. Sources said the arrested persons belonged to a Sikh militant group. The police had earlier detained Mithu Singh, Baljeet Singh and Chhinder Singh of Alampur Mandra village for their suspected involvement in the crime. “We could not get evidence against the three suspects who were earlier detained. We will complete legal formalities to get them released from jail,” the SSP said. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090805/punjab.htm#17

Son of former Punjab minister shot dead Punjab Newsline Network Sunday, 02 August 2009 BATHINDA: The son of a former Punjab Minister was on Sunday found murdered in a car at Sirhand Canal near Beham bridge in this district, police said. Sandeep Singh Dhillon (45), son of Teja Singh Dhillon, a former Shiromani Akali Dal minister, was shot in the back from close range, police said. His family said Sandeep Singh was called from his house in Civil lines by two persons who wanted to hire his land for a stud farm. Police are looking at various angles in the matter, including personal enmity with one Jagroop Singh whose sons were murdered by the deceased over a land issue in 1998. Sandeep was convicted and awarded life imprisonment in 2004 but granted pardon by Punjab Governor S F Rodrigues in 2006. http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/17835/38/

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090729/bathinda.htm#1 and... Dera Sirsa follower who attacked Sikhs shot dead WSN Network MANSA: Tensions marred Punjab again as a Dera Sauda activist, accused of involvement in anti-Sikh clashes, was on Tuesday shot dead by unidentified assailants near Chakerian village, 8 km from here. Lilli Kumar was attacked when he was returning to his village Alampur Mandran on a motorcycle after appearing in the court of District and Sessions Judge at Mansa in connection with a criminal case registered against him after a Dera- Sikh clash in September 2007. Four motorcycle-borne assailants pumped several bullets into Lilli near Chakerian Chowk around 3 pm. The body was taken to Mansa Civil Hospital,where hundreds of Dera followers started gathering, including the 25-member core committee of Dera. Police were deployed in strength around the hospital. SSP Manminder Singh visited the hospital as well as the murder site. He said a case had been registered and a Special Investigation Team, headed by SP (Detective) Sukhpal Singh, constituted to investigate the crime. Lilli Kumar, a patwari, had been booked by the Mansa police for alleged involvement in initiating a violent clash at Alampur Mandran village on September 3, 2007. He had organised a naam charcha (religious discourse) at his house in the village despite objections. As Sikhs of the area arrived to stop the function, Lilli Kumar allegedly threw acid on them. A case under Sections 307, 148, 149 and 324 of the IPC was then registered against him and others at Boha police station. Fourteen persons had been injured in the clash that followed. A large number of followers of the dera have been repeatedly involved in attacks against the Sikhs because of the community’s objections to activities of the dera head who is already a rape and murder accused in a case being investigated by the CBI. The dera head had blatantly tried to imitate the Sikh gurus and has refused to apologise, rather making a mockery of such demands with half-apologies. 29 July 2009 http://worldsikhnews.com/29%20July%202009/Dera%20Sirsa%20follower%20who%20attacked%20Sikhs%20shot%20dead.htm

Please post the link to this story. Can't seem to find it on their site.

Where is the location of the Gurudwara in the village?

i never saw those pictures you refer to, but Michael Jackson at one time did indeed have a Gora Sikh cook

Temple-shooting raid cop saved by vest By Thomas Hochwarter A policeman was saved by his bulletproof vest after a suspect in the Sikh Temple killings opened fire at special forces commandos during a series of coordinated raids this week, police have revealed. Officers said yesterday (Weds) Amrit S., a 26-year-old Austrian citizen of Indian background, fired two shots through the closed door of his flat at Cobra and Wega units during raids at nine different houses across Vienna. Police spokesman Michael Takacs said police later found the bullet in the officer’s vest while another was lodged in a wall opposite the flat. Takacs said the man had told them he fired the shots because he was "afraid" and "by accident". It was also revealed that the man worked for a security firm and that the weapon, a nine-millimetre calibre Glock, was registered. He is suspected of providing the main suspect of the May 24th shootings in the temple in Pelzgasse, located only a few hundred metres from his flat in Preysinggasse, with a weapon. Police also rubbished earlier reports that the alleged ringleader was shot in the head during the attacks which killed a guru and left 15 people injured. Takacs said the man was in an artificial coma with severe head injuries but had not been hit by a bullet, adding it was unclear whether the man would ever fully recover physically and mentally from his injuries. Takacs also dismissed claims police had secured "brutal pictures" in the house raids but said they confiscated a "painted portrait of a martyr" in Amrit S’s flat. He said dozens of other items of evidence have been secured and knives and daggers confiscated. Amrit S. was the only person taken into custody following the raids on Monday. Six men detained immediately after the temple attack remain in custody. Four of them were asylum seekers. Sikh Sant Rama Anand was killed in the brawl while Sant Niranjan Dass suffered serious injuries. Dass left Austria for the Indian province of Punjab two weeks ago while thousands of believers attended the cremation of Anand after his body was flown home. Austrian Times http://austriantimes.at/index.php?id=14086&print=1

This song is pathetic and its unfortunate that so called adherents to the Sikh faith are the ones behind it. Just like when other artists say Fateh on stage to the drunks in the crowd, for some reason these people dont seem to see any harm in what they do. As with bhangra artists who make dharmik tracks, I doubt theres any pyaar behind these tracks, just money making schemes.

Although I am not a handwriting analysis expert, I do have a fair amount of experience by virtue of the field within which i am employed. The date clearly looks like it has been fabricated on the second email from that on the first email given that primarily the structure of the '5' from '25' on the first email and '8' from '28' in the second are largely identical, even to the point where the a larger concentration of ink has discharged on to the page. Additionally, the 'non-altered' figures are also identical in respect of shape and ink discharge (Notice how the '2' has a deeper colour consistent with excess ink discharge on both) Secondly, the spacing of the date in relation to the print on the letterhead is identical, a feat highly difiicult to perform. Thirdly, the dash used to space day, month and year is not spaced in a manner consistent with two seperate entries. Fourthly, the signatures are identical, another feat highly difficult to achieve (try it with your own signature). These are just several small points visible to the naked eye. Deeper analysis would no doubt reveal that the handwriting on the second email is clearly an altered version of the first.

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/16897/38/ Khalistan Zindabad Force denies hand in Vienna incident Punjab Newsline Network Thursday, 28 May 2009 CHANDIGARH: The Khalistan Zindabad Force(kzf), which purported to ahad on Wednesday claimed responsibility for attack on two religious leaders in Vienna in Austria on Thursday denied its role in the incident and condemned the act as against the teachings of Sikh gurus. In a signed statement issued by Ranjit Singh Jammu, the KZF Chief said that they respect Guru Ravidass who is an integral part of Sikh religion. He said that 'bani' of all Bhagats including Bhagat Ravidass was included in Guru Granth Sahib and all Bhagats are respectable as their Guru. He said that Sikhs had no grudge against the head of dera Sach Khand Sant Niranjan Dass and Sant Rama Nand who was killed in Vienna. Jammu described it an action of intelligence agencies of India who are trying to defame the Sikh community and people invoilved in Khalistan movement. He alleged that ruling party in Punjab was responsible for the ghasty act. He named Parkash Singh Badal responsible for the attack and alleged that blame has been shifted on Khalistan Zindabad Force. He said that dalits are their brotherns and part of struggle of Sikh community. He appealed for peace in the state. KZF cheif said that their fight is against anti-Panthic forces and not against their own brothers. He said that if the sentiments of Ravidass community were hurt due to misuse of KZF name, they seek an apology for it. It is recalled that certain newspapers had carried reports about KZF taking responsibility for Vienna attack. The dalits associated with dera Sach Khand had on Wednesday burnt the effigy of KZF to register their anger. The KZF however denies the allegations.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2416624.ece By STAFF REPORTER Published: Today BOFFINS are making BULLETPROOF TURBANS so Sikh officers can become gun cops. Scientists are developing the sturdy turbans made from Kevlar-like material to act as a shield – because the Sikh religion prevents adult males from removing their headpieces. With more than 2,000 Sikh police officers and staff in the UK, the newly-formed British Police Sikh Association (BPSA), has made the headpiece one of its priorities. Inspector Gian Singh Chahal, from Kent Police and vice chairman of the BPSA, told respected industry magazine Police Review today: “Sikh officers have been prohibited from becoming firearms officers because our religion does not allow us to remove the turban. “Nor can we wear the NATO helmet for public order policing." He added: “There has been some research done into producing a ballistic material for turbans and we would like to follow any opportunity where we could manufacture a ballistic product - made out of something like Kevlar - that would ensure a certain degree of protection so Sikh police officers could take part in these roles. “We need to approach the Home Office and police forces and to gain their acceptance so that Sikh officers could become firearms and public order officers whilst wearing turbans. “I think there needs to be a recognition from the Home Office that would allow Sikh officers to carry out these roles. I think the will is there from chief constables but perhaps not yet from the Home Office.” One Sikh PC, who did not want to be named, said: “It would be incredible if they developed a bulletproof turban. Discrimination “It would make life a lot easier for us and would mean we could go for jobs as firearms and public order officers – which a lot of Sikh officers would like to do, but are currently not allowed to go for.” Last year West Midlands Police spent tens of thousands of pounds trying to find protective headgear to fit over a turban after a Sikh officer applied to join the counter-terrorist Operational Support Unit. The force spent 18 months looking for a solution, but failed to find any suitable equipment and returned the officer to his job as a beat bobby. The unnamed officer is reported to have claimed to have been discriminated against and was on long-term sick leave suffering from stress. Dr Indarjit Singh, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, said Sikhism is the only religion in the world in which wearing a turban is mandatory for all adult males. He said: “It is mandatory for adult Sikh men to wear the turban.” Turbans consist of around 15ft of cloth wound around the head. Sikh men wear them to cover their hair, which they leave uncut in accordance with their religion. They often wear their long beards rolled up. As well as being a sign of spirituality, the turban is also a symbol of Sikh identity and of courage. There are more than 750,000 Sikhs, the only religion allowed to ride motorbikes without crash helmets, in the UK. Sikh soldiers serving in the British Army refused to wear helmets during the First and Second World Wars. They fought with their turbans on, several receiving the Victoria Cross for acts of gallantry. A Home Office spokesman said today: “The Government wants a police service that reflects the diverse communities it serves. “It is down to individual forces to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the religion or beliefs of individual officers, as far as operational requirements permit.”

This case is a typical example of media treatment of Sikhs. Apparently, the outcome of this story only warrants a few lines compared with the initial coverage it no doubt received. Thankfully the Honourable Judge read the case for exactly what it was...XENOPHOBIA! http://www.vancouversun.com/Life/Teen+acqu...1380/story.html Teen acquitted of assault with ceremonial dagger Canwest News Service April 16, 2009 A 13-year-old boy involved in a schoolyard argument with four other boys was acquitted Wednesday of assault using a kirpan, the Sikh ceremonial dagger. However, the boy was convicted of threatening two Montreal schoolmates with a hairpin used to secure his turban and then given an absolute discharge. Judge Gilles Ouellet said the case would never have landed in court if the boys hadn't been of "different nationalities and beliefs." A mediated solution would have better served all parties, he said. © Copyright © The Vancouver Sun

Has the Sikh Channel approached any Gurudwaray regarding funding?

The possibilities are limitless. May be the moderators can make this topic a sticky or create another with sangats requests and ideas. I would love to see some documentaries in the future especially on the likes of the Sikligar Sikh community, Khalsa Aid and Gurudwara Yatras especially Gurudwaray in far off places such as South and Central America, the Carribean, Far East etc. If you need to send some one to these countries to film...I suppose I can take the time out lol

I am sure the Sikh Channel aims to cater for all age ranges therefore I believe some animated Sikh itihaas shows would be good for children or maybe story telling as Roop Singh from Leeds used to do. Even cartoon shows given examples of what children should do when faced with situations arising due to Western culture would be helpful. I am sure their are Sikh animators/students who could make such shows a reality. Maybe Gatka and shastar shows would be of interest too (Although care needs to be taken on who is selected for these types of programmes. I am sure people out there trying to promote their own agendas would love to get the air time...UK sangat likely know who I'm refering too)

Sikh Channel are doing an excellent job. I'm sure the channel is on 24/7 in many households (as at mine). To date, I have not seen any Dhadi Jathas, which would be nice to see on a regular basis as well as some live smagams and discussion/historical shows. I'm sure these will appear in due course. Anyway its a great start. Well done!

Sikh Channel is doing fantastic seva. Sangat has been waiting for something like this for too long. If each Gurudwara in the UK contributed just 1000 pounds each, I am sure this could have been a reality a lot sooner. Anyway, that is the past.............Long live the Sikh Channel.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00jpdhd

Definately not! Assuming both have taken amrit.

Is this really an abstract / hypothetical question or are you seeking some personal advice? The key factor is not what the devout father thinks, but more so that if the daughter is not devout herself, then the whole question is irrelevant. However, as honouring ones parents is important in the Sikh faith and Punjabi culture, if it is against her parents wishes, in my view it can not be acceptable. This type of 'hypothetical' action is bound to cause grief to the parents and pain to the girl herself. As love is tightly linked with sacrifice, if the non sikh boy really loves the girl, he would end the relationship to stop the pain it would cause the parties involved. These are my views. Sorry if anyone is offended.

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/14830/38/ Nihang Baba Budha Dal chief escaped unhurt in attack GAGANDEEP AHUJA Tuesday, 13 January 2009 PATIALA: Budha Dal Nihang chief, Baba Balbir Singh escaped unhurt when armed assailants ambushed his convoy near village Bhagi Bandar in Bathinda district this morning. The assailants pumped a volley of bullets into his bullet proof vehicle injuring one person. Police sources said that the assailants, who had taken cover behind roadside trees and bushes and on the rooftop of an abandoned house opened fire on the bullet proof vehicle in which the Baba was seated alongwith his gunman and driver. While the Nihang chief and his driver escaped unhurt, gunman Paramjit Singh was injured. He was later admitted at a hospital in Talwandi Sabo and was stated to be out of danger. The assailants fled after pumping 10 to 12 bullets into the bullet proof vehicle. The Baba alongwith his supporters was on his way to attend the Maghi Mela at Muktsar. It is supected that a rival group in the Budha Dal was behind the attack. Baba Balbir Singh had succeeded Baba Santa Singh as the Budha Dal chief and the succession was opposed by a section of the Budha Dal, including the relatives of the late, Baba Santa Singh. Meanwhile, Baba Balbir Singh has demanded z plus security cover for him as Punjab police had failed to provide him adequate security cover. Talking to The Pioneer over phone, he said that he has been receiving threatening calls from persons of his rival group. The matter has already brought in the notice of Patiala SSP SK Asthana and Punjab Government but all have given cold shouldered to his request, he alleged. He said that killers of his father, two brothers and nephew has been moving freely in Patiala but police ahs failed to arrest them. Earlier, four 'Nihang' Sikhs were killed in a bloody clash with a rival faction at the Baba Buddha Dal Chhawni (camp) here on September 21, 2007, Baba Balbir Singh's father Asha Singh, brothers Bhajan Singh and Jagdish Singh and nephew Karan Singh were killed in group clash. Dal Chief late Baba Santa Singh, had declared Baba Balbir Singh as the successor Dal on April 9 2007. Baba also added that he has already filed a writ petition seeking z plus security cover for him which was still pending in the court.

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/14830/38/ Nihang Baba Budha Dal chief escaped unhurt in attack GAGANDEEP AHUJA Tuesday, 13 January 2009 PATIALA: Budha Dal Nihang chief, Baba Balbir Singh escaped unhurt when armed assailants ambushed his convoy near village Bhagi Bandar in Bathinda district this morning. The assailants pumped a volley of bullets into his bullet proof vehicle injuring one person. Police sources said that the assailants, who had taken cover behind roadside trees and bushes and on the rooftop of an abandoned house opened fire on the bullet proof vehicle in which the Baba was seated alongwith his gunman and driver. While the Nihang chief and his driver escaped unhurt, gunman Paramjit Singh was injured. He was later admitted at a hospital in Talwandi Sabo and was stated to be out of danger. The assailants fled after pumping 10 to 12 bullets into the bullet proof vehicle. The Baba alongwith his supporters was on his way to attend the Maghi Mela at Muktsar. It is supected that a rival group in the Budha Dal was behind the attack. Baba Balbir Singh had succeeded Baba Santa Singh as the Budha Dal chief and the succession was opposed by a section of the Budha Dal, including the relatives of the late, Baba Santa Singh. Meanwhile, Baba Balbir Singh has demanded z plus security cover for him as Punjab police had failed to provide him adequate security cover. Talking to The Pioneer over phone, he said that he has been receiving threatening calls from persons of his rival group. The matter has already brought in the notice of Patiala SSP SK Asthana and Punjab Government but all have given cold shouldered to his request, he alleged. He said that killers of his father, two brothers and nephew has been moving freely in Patiala but police ahs failed to arrest them. Earlier, four 'Nihang' Sikhs were killed in a bloody clash with a rival faction at the Baba Buddha Dal Chhawni (camp) here on September 21, 2007, Baba Balbir Singh's father Asha Singh, brothers Bhajan Singh and Jagdish Singh and nephew Karan Singh were killed in group clash. Dal Chief late Baba Santa Singh, had declared Baba Balbir Singh as the successor Dal on April 9 2007. Baba also added that he has already filed a writ petition seeking z plus security cover for him which was still pending in the court.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7822574.stm Prince's apology for racist term Prince Harry has apologised for using offensive language to describe a Pakistani member of his army platoon. The News of the World has published video in which the prince calls one of his then Sandhurst colleagues a "Paki" in commentary he made over filming. St James's Palace said he had used the term three years ago as a nickname about a friend and without any malice. In a separate incident highlighted by the paper, the prince is heard calling another officer cadet a "raghead". The prince had to apologise in 2005 for wearing a swastika armband to a party, which offended many Jewish people. The video obtained by the News of the World shows Harry while still an officer cadet at Sandhurst military academy. It was filmed in front of other cadets at an airport departure lounge as they waited for a flight to Cyprus to go on manoeuvres. The newspaper said the prince had called the soldier "our little Paki friend". 'Extremely sorry' Meanwhile, during a faked call to the Queen, as the Commander in Chief of the British Army, the prince says: "Granny I've got to go, send my love to the Corgis and Grandpa." He finishes saying: "I've got to go, got to go, bye. God Save You ... yeah, that's great." A statement from St James's Palace, with regards the term "Paki", said: "Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offence his words might cause. "However, on this occasion three years ago, Prince Harry used the term without any malice and as a nickname about a highly popular member of his platoon. "There is no question that Prince Harry was in any way seeking to insult his friend." The statement continued: "Prince Harry used the term 'raghead' to mean Taleban or Iraqi insurgent." A man told BBC Radio Five Live the cadet concerned was his nephew, Ahmed Raza Khan, from Pakistan, who served with Prince Harry at Sandhurst for one year as a Commonwealth cadet. Iftikhar Raja said his nephew, now a captain in the Pakistani army, would have risen above such terms and had not mentioned the incident to his family. Mr Raja said: "At no time he told us that he was called Paki or he was a good friend of Prince Harry, I mean, although they served together that is true. "But I myself am a British subject, I am proud to be British and if someone called me Pakistani I would be proud to be called that, but Paki is definitely a derogatory remark." He added: "We expect better from our Royal Family on whom we spend millions and millions of pounds for training and schooling." Captain Ahmed Raza Khan graduated with Harry from Sandhurst in 2006 receiving a special award from the Queen for being the best overseas officer cadet. 'Disturbing allegations' BBC Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt said this was an "embarrassing episode" for the prince, and it was because comments made in private had become public that a statement had been issued. He added St James's Palace had been at pains to place the prince's words in context. Prince Harry's aides insisted Captain Ahmed and Harry "were friends, members of a close knit platoon who used nicknames and the prince was not being malicious", he said. "However, whatever the context, royal officials must know the damage has been done, " said our correspondent. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence said: "Neither the Army nor the Armed Forces tolerates inappropriate behaviour in any shape or form. "The Army takes all allegations of inappropriate behaviour very seriously and all substantive allegations are investigated. "We are not aware of any complaint having been made by the individual. Bullying and racism are not endemic in the Armed Forces." A spokeswoman for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: "These appear to be disturbing allegations and we will be asking the MoD to see the evidence, share that evidence with us and their plans for dealing with it. "We will then consider what further action might be necessary." But Ingrid Seward, the editor of Majesty magazine and a biographer of Prince Harry and Prince William, said there was a danger of over-reaction. She said: "I think it was a private video, he was talking about a friend of his, they were having fun and they were calling each other nicknames and I think it's been taken out of context. "Yes, it would be very offensive if Harry went around calling people Pakis in a racist way but this was not meant, you know, it was meant more of a nickname. "I mean, Harry's mates call him Ginge or Ginger - that could be equally offensive to people with red hair."

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/Man...ught.4673813.jp Man shot in neck thought he would die Lancashire Evening News Date: 07 November 2008 By Peter O'Keeffe A man blasted in the neck in a street shooting told a court that he thought he was going to die. Dilbag Singh said he felt a massive impact after a shotgun was fired from close range at his neck. "I was lying on the ground, struggling to breathe and gurgling," he said. "Blood was pouring from my neck. I was sweating and genuinely thought I was going to die." He added: "I wanted to get home to see my family before I died." Mr Singh, 26, from Deepdale, was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital after being attacked in St Paul's Road on April 11 and 56 pellets were removed from his neck and upper body. Giving evidence at Preston Crown Court, he disputed that he made or signed a statement to police in which the Crown alleges he named two men as his attackers. Mr Singh claimed he had been "pressurised" by police into naming the defendants in the case, Kyle Parvez and Zainul James, as the gunman and accomplice. He insisted to the court that he never named them and told defence counsel that he had known both men for some years and that there had never been "bad blood" between them. The prosecution case is that the statement in which he named both men as the attackers was made by him and was the truth. Mr Singh was shot near Moor Park and then beaten with a baseball bat as he lay on the ground. The jury has heard the attack was the result of a drugs gang war between men from Deepdale and Fishwick. James, 18, of The Green, Ribbleton, and Parvez, 20, of Arnhem Road, Callon, both deny attempted murder. They each further deny having a shotgun with intent to commit murder. James alone denies arson being reckless as to whether the lives of residents in Manor House Lane were endangered. He is alleged to have torched a Renault Clio car in which they allegedly arrived to carry out the attack. Following arrest, both men stated they had nothing to do with any shooting and James said he had never set fire to a car. (Proceeding) http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Drug-gang-feud-led-to.4670732.jp Drug gang feud led to attack, court told Date: 06 November 2008 By Peter O'Keeffe Tensions between Preston drug gangs led to a man being shot in the neck at close range in an attempt to murder him, a jury has heard. Dilbag Singh, 26, from Preston, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the neck, but Preston Crown Court heard he survived. He was taken to hospital, where consultants found a total of 56 pellets had penetrated his upper body, one lodging in the left lung. It is alleged that two men, Kyle Parvez and Zainul James, were responsible. Prosecutor Katherine Blackwell told the court Parvez and James were members of a drugs gang in Fishwick, Preston, while Mr Singh had associations with another gang from the Deepdale area. "By April of this year a certain amount of friction had developed between the two groups," she added. Miss Blackwell said the prosecution's case was that the attempt to murder Mr Singh, on Friday April 11 on St Paul's Road, Deepdale, was in order to avenge the kidnapping of a close friend of the defendants earlier that day. The defendants are alleged to have sought out Mr Singh because, although he had not taken part in the earlier kidnap, he was affiliated to those believed to have been involved. The court heard Mr Singh at first told police he could not identify his attackers, but changed his statement five days later, naming James and Parvez. "Perhaps understandably, he had just been shot, was lucky to be alive and was fearful of further such attacks either on himself or his family," said Miss Blackwell. However, when he came into the witness box to give evidence to the trial Dilbag Singh told the jury he could not identify his attackers. When it was put to him by prosecution counsel that he had named the defendants in his second statement to police he said he had been "pressurised" by officers. "They put names there without my consent – they put names in the statement without my consent," he claimed. The witness went on to claim the signature on the statement where he named the defendants as his attackers was not his. Earlier, Miss Blackwell told the court that Parvez and James, along with two others who have not been identified, travelled to the scene of the shooting in a blue Renault Clio. When they found Mr Singh, Miss Blackwell said, Parvez "stood within a matter of feet of Mr Dilbag Singh and discharged the weapon into his neck". "While shot and in a state of shock, Zainul James attacked him as he lay on the floor with a baseball bat," she added. The prosecution claims the car was dumped and torched on playing fields off Manor House Lane, Holme Slack. James, 18, of The Green, Ribbleton and Parvez, 20, from Arnhem Road, Callon, each denies attempted murder. Both further deny possession of a firearm with intent to commit murder. James alone pleads not guilty to arson. The trial is expected to last two weeks. (Proceeding)