In a chilling and unusual turn of events in the UK, a peaceful Kabaddi tournament transformed into a scene reminiscent of a suspense thriller. At the heart of Derby, two rival groups, armed with not just their competitive spirits but deadly weapons, clashed in broad daylight.

As the tranquil British afternoon progressed, the skies of Derby were tainted not just by the energetic enthusiasm of a Kabaddi match but by the disturbing sight of Khalistani flags, fluttering atop poles. This unsettling visual, as reported by the Times of India, was captured during the Kabaddi event orchestrated by the England Kabaddi Federation UK (EKF). Notably, the EKF, endorsed by the Home Office, stands as Kabaddi's official custodian in the UK. What's more, this federation proudly associates itself with as many as sixteen Kabaddi clubs sprawled across the UK.

However, what was supposed to be a day of sport and celebration took a nightmarish turn on the 20th of August. The local Derbyshire police found themselves handcuffing four men, ranging in ages from 24 to 38. Their alleged crime? Possession of a firearm and indulging in violent chaos. Witnesses and reports paint a disturbing tableau - amidst the Kabaddi event, gunfire echoed, and men brandishing not just their physical prowess but menacing weapons like swords, machetes, and rods turned the arena into a battlefield. The aftermath? Four wounded souls rushed to nearby medical facilities, with one grappling for his life.

The clock struck 4 PM, and the tranquillity of Bridle Gate Lane in Alvaston was disrupted by sirens. Armed officers, alert and ready, responded to urgent distress calls, speeding to the site of the catastrophe. Soon enough, the world would be privy to this shocking incident. Videos, each frame more harrowing than the last, began to make rounds on various social media platforms. One particular video was particularly unsettling - nearly fifty masked men, armed to the teeth, stormed the event. Their weapons of choice ranged from rods to cold, gleaming swords. As they made their violent entrance, panic ensued. Innocent Kabaddi enthusiasts, who were there purely for the love of the game, found themselves fleeing in sheer terror.

The UK Mirror recounted the harrowing testimony of an eyewitness who described the chilling scene. One unfortunate individual was shot, while his assailants, not content with just bullets, turned their blades upon another. As some spectators made a hasty retreat, others, gripped by fear, abandoned their vehicles in the wake of the assault.

Yet, another video stands out in this grotesque narrative. It features a grievously injured man, surrounded by a mob. Instead of help, this injured soul found himself at the mercy of sharp blades that continued their brutal assault. Eerily, it's believed he had already been shot before these fresh waves of violence descended upon him.

While Derby still reeled from the horrifying altercation at the Kabaddi tournament, the law enforcement machinery sprung into action. Derbyshire police were swift in their response, announcing the arrest of four individuals tied to the dramatic and unsettling incident. But the story didn't end there.

In a press conference saturated with the weight of the incident, Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred urged the public for collaboration. Her plea was simple yet pressing: "We are aware of videos circulating online detailing the unspeakable events. I beseech anyone with such footage to forward it to us." Emma continued, "This will not only expedite our investigations but also ensure justice for the victims. While we've got boots on the ground in the affected area to restore confidence, your assistance is invaluable." Derbyshire police's appeal was clear: assist them in piecing together this baffling puzzle by submitting any video evidence of the incident.

Echoes of the Khalistani flags from the Times of India report reverberated throughout discussions. These flags, symbolic of a particular political perspective, were notably visible at the event orchestrated by the England Kabaddi Federation UK (EKF). This very Federation, acknowledged by the Home Office, stands tall as Kabaddi's official torchbearer in the UK, boasting associations with sixteen distinct Kabaddi clubs.

Amidst the chaos, the voice of EKF's general secretary, Surinder Singh Manak, emerged as a beacon of clarity. In a carefully worded statement, he illuminated several key aspects of the incident. "The invaders, despite their malicious intent, could not breach the crowd barriers safeguarding the pitch. It's crucial to underscore," he stressed, "that no one present as a player, official, or spectator bore the brunt of this unsanctioned violence."

Manak, cutting through the thick fog of speculation, posited an intriguing theory. The violent outbreak, he suggested, might not have been a spontaneous eruption but a calculated confrontation. "Initial probes, while yet to be confirmed, hint at a premeditated scuffle between warring gangs rooted in the Midlands," Manak elucidated. But he was quick to dispel any misgivings about EKF's involvement. "We assert unequivocally," he emphasized, "that these gangs have no affiliations with EKF-aligned clubs or their members."

As the narrative unfolds, myriad questions beckon: What led these gangs to choose the Kabaddi tournament as their battleground? Was it mere coincidence or a deliberate act of provocation? Stick with us as we dive deeper into the layers of this enigma in our subsequent segments.

Kabaddi—a sport entwined deeply with pride, tradition, and camaraderie. However, the recent turn of events at the Derby tournament unveiled an unsettling underbelly, leaving the community shocked and the spirit of the sport marred.

One could feel the weight of despair in the voice of Kulvinder Singh, the vice president of Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara Kabaddi Club, Derby. "Imagine the grandeur of the event," he mused, "the thrill of competition, the collective breaths of fans in sync with the moves of the players. And then, just like that, it was tainted." His voice, resonating with frustration, conveyed a deeper emotion, "We assembled there for love—for the love of Kabaddi. What transpired was a betrayal by thoughtless actions of a few." His plea was simple: justice for a tarnished game and shattered trust.

Amidst the contemplative murmurs, a poignant perspective came from the President of the England Kabaddi Association, Ashok Das. He voiced a chilling implication of the incident, "When a sport, symbolizing peace and togetherness, becomes the theatre for such violence, where do we seek solace? How do we convince the next generation that the field is a place of dreams, not nightmares?"

Manga Mithapuria Powar, the man who'd seen Kabaddi from the dirt of the field, expressed his angst online, painting a bleak picture for the sport. "This is a repeated insult to our game. If this continues, Kabaddi, our very essence, might just be lost," he lamented on Facebook.

Even as the dust settles on the field, the quest for answers continues. TOI's UK correspondent, Naomi Canton, shed light on EKF's statement. According to EKF, the altercation erupted mysteriously in the car park, its wildfire spreading right up to the Kabaddi playing zones' entrance. But the sanctity of the pitch remained inviolable, thanks to a robust security setup. "Despite the chaos, the protective barriers held," EKF confirmed.

But as every silver lining has its cloud, one can't help but wonder: What led to such a calamity in a revered game's celebration? As stories unfold and testimonials pour in, a hunt for answers persists. Stay with us for the final segment and conclusions on this intriguing affair.

When History Casts a Dark Shadow

The exhilarating rush of a Kabaddi match, the spirited shouts, the enthusiastic audience—this day had it all. Until it didn't. The chilling incidents of violence threw a pall over the event, so much so that the EKF had to abandon it midway. Not just the halt of a match, but the very site of this revered sport was now cordoned off as a crime scene. The once jubilant atmosphere was overshadowed by eerie silence, broken only by the fluttering of police tape.

The anguish of the EKF was evident. They remained in the dark, seeking answers and updates about the probe into the mayhem. The statement reflected their helplessness: "Communication seems to be a one-way street. While we understand the gravity of the situation, being left in limbo is agonizing."

But for those familiar with the UK's Kabaddi tournaments, a sense of déjà vu might have seeped in. History has not been kind, it seems. The arena, which should have witnessed sportsmanship, had seen blood before. One could still remember the whispers from 2007—of Jaswinder Singh Sahota's chilling act with a long sword, an act that robbed a security guard of his fingers. A cold shiver runs down the spine at the very thought.

But not all past skeletons were about violence. The game's spirit was previously questioned when the Home Office stumbled upon irregularities in 2016. A nexus seemed to have been working overtime, smuggling non-EU players into the EKF tournaments. The estimated figures were staggering—with about 100 players, primarily from India and Pakistan, landing on UK soil annually for EKF tournaments. It took three long years to iron out the visa discrepancies.

The passion for Kabaddi is undeniable. But so is its tumultuous past in the UK. As we draw the curtains on this episode, we're left to ponder—when will the focus shift back from the controversies to the heart of the game itself? The wait, it seems, continues.