UK: NRI shopkeeper dies in teenage gang attack

A popular Indian-origin shopkeeper in the Yorkshire town of Huddersfield in the United Kingdom has been killed while trying to repel members of a teenage gang who were trying to rob him.

Gurmail Singh, 63, suffered head injuries and fell to the ground during the scuffle at his shop, and died of his injuries at the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on Sunday.

A group of passers-by tried to prevent the gang of four leaving the shop but they eventually forced their way out after a struggle. The police are treating his death as murder.

The gang, all in their teens and wearing dark hooded tops and tracksuit bottoms, went into his shop on Friday night. A group of six passers-by heard a commotion inside the building and went to help.

Although none of them was injured, they were unable to prevent the gang from fleeing into the night. Detective superintendent David Pervin, who is leading the investigation, said, "Mr Singh was a well-known and popular local businessman who had been in this area many years. I appeal for anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency."

A police spokesman said, "In terms of the witnesses, we can confirm this was a group of six people who heard a commotion at the shop and went to help."

None of them were injured during the incident. Neighbour Ian Davison said there was a drugs problem in the area that was 'getting out of hand.'

Singh's death had left the local community shocked, he added. "He was a really popular, lovely bloke. You couldn't wish to meet a nicer bloke than Mr Singh," Davison said.