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UK: Racists murder Asian shopkeeper

01 January 1995

A 60-year old Asian shopkeeper, Mohan Singh Kullah, died after spending over a week on a life-support machine, following a brutal attack by a gang of racists in Cimla, Neath in southwest Wales in December.

Mr Kullah, whose shop had been subjected to a series of arson attacks since opening less than a year ago, was attacked and beaten with a brick when he investigated a stone-throwing incident outside his shop. He was later found unconscious by a neighbour and rushed to hospital with a double fracture of his skull where he died ten days later.

Five local men have appeared in court following the attack; three of them Stephen May, Grant Watkins and Ian Thomas have been charged with murder. Two others have been charged with attempted criminal damage. A sixth man, Alan Beshella, who has connections with the US Ku Klux Klan was also questioned about the attack. He has been heavily involved in setting-up a racist group in nearby Bridgend, where numerous people have complained about intimidation.

Southern Wales has seen an upsurge of racist and fascist activity over the past year as the British National Party/Combat 18 have attempted to heighten their profile in the Cardiff area by attacking labour movement and anti-racist activists.

Western Mail 29.11.94; 7.12.94; South Wales Evening Post 28.11.94.