Community gather to remember Cowcliffe shopkeeper Gurmail Singh

Mar 1 2010 By Emma Davison

Community gather to remember murdered shopkeeper

Balbir Singh Uppal, head of the Sikh Leisure Centre attached to the Prospect Street temple, said Mr Singh’s grieving family were being comforted by the strength of support being shown by the community.

He said on behalf of the family: “The family is grateful for the support the community has shown them.

“The two things they would like to see come out of this is tough penalties for those involved and better safety for the shopkeepers. Something positive needs to come out of his death.”

During the emotive two-hour Sunday service, traditional prayers were said as some families huddled together, while others wept as the outpouring of grief became too much to bear.

People queued patiently to write their messages of condolence in a book on a small white-covered table next to a picture of Mr Singh.

Those leading the spoken tributes included Kirklees Council leader Mehboob Khan who said the whole community was united in grief over Mr Singh’s death.

“The loss is shared by all parts of the community and that is shown by the number of people from different faiths who are here,’’ he said

“He was one of the most caring and compassionate human beings I have ever had the pleasure to meet.

“We are here because together we all condemn this awful and savage attack.”

Mr Singh was found in a pool of blood at his shop after an alleged raid by a gang of four youths.

He died from serious head injuries after suffering nine blows with a weapon, probably a hammer.

Insp Mohammed Rauf from Huddersfield North policing team assured people that everything will be done to catch Mr Singh’s killers.

He said: “This investigation has 40 officers involved and the most important thing for this investigation is the support of the community and the information we receive from the community.

“It is such a tragic case, but the community has been fantastic in providing vital information and we now need that to continue.

“I am positive we will catch those responsible.”

Insp Rauf announced to the packed room that three more arrests had been made in connection with Mr Singh’s death.

A 17-year-old was arrested at a house in Sheepridge on suspicion of robbery and murder on Saturday.

On Sunday morning two more men, the 20-year-old and 17-year-old, were arrested on suspicion of Mr Singh’s murder and are undergoing forensic tests.

A 17-year-old arrested earlier in the week was charged for an another robbery at the shop two days before the shopkeeper was killed on February 20.

He will appear before Huddersfield magistrates today.

Two teenagers aged 17 and 18 who were arrested at the same time have since been released without charge.

An ‘information seek’ was carried out in Cowcliffe on Saturday night and senior investigator Det Supt Dave Pervin thanked all those who had assisted officers with their inquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.