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Men of Indian origin stab it out in Vancouver

Adding yet another chapter to the increasing violence in this colourful British Columbia city, Vancouver, a person was arrested last week for stabbing to death a 21-year-old in front of dozens of witnesses outside a downtown night-club.

Both men are of Indian origin. The suspect is believed to be about 22.

Meanwhile, the police are yet to make any arrest in the murder of Bindy Johal, the 28-year-old self-confessed cocaine dealer, who too was murdered in a night club three weeks ago, apparently in a vendetta killing.

Police officer Anne Drennan told reporters that the stabbing is another example of weapons used to settle disputes. "This is a situation where a group of young men for some reason got involved in some kind of an argument," she said.

"In the old days there would have been a fistfight. These days either a knife or a gun is pulled," she continued, "There isn't really anything you can say to parents. If your kids are going to get involved in these kinds of situations and hang out with these kinds of people, it is always possible this is going to happen."

The police have not released the names of the latest victim -- nor the name of the killer.

The police say that what began as a pushing and shoving match among a dozen people outside Madison's Billiards Dance Bar on Richards Street just after 0200 hours escalated into a violent tragedy when one man pulled a knife. Some eyewitnesses told newspapers that the clash involved personal conflicts.

The victim suffered multiple stab-wounds, including one on the neck. He staggered back to the nightclub door before collapsing and dying. A second man was slashed but not seriously injured, the Vancouver Sun reported.

The suspect and his friends fled in a car parked nearby, but witnesses noted the licence plate, said Drennan.

The police staked out a Richmond home and arrested the suspect, 23, when he pulled up at about 0400 hours. The car is registered in his mother's name. The weapon was not recovered.

Drennan said the confrontation was between two "rival groups of Indo-Canadian males."

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