Thirteen people have been arrested after a community centre meeting descended into an ugly mass brawl with chairs and punches thrown.

Astonishing footage shows an angry mob hurling chairs, swinging makeshift weapons, throwing punches and clashing with police officers who try to calm the riotous crowd.

The video, captured on a mobile phone, was taken in the Bangladeshi Community Centre in Leeds, next door to a mosque, and has caused uproar since it appeared on Facebook and YouTube.

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Violent chaos: Footage has surfaced online capturing shockingly violent scenes at the Bangladeshi Community Centre in Leeds yesterday

Shocking: A police officer at the scene punches a man in the head during the out-of-control situation in Leeds

The row erupted during the centre's biennial AGM when a group of 20 to 25 members entered the meeting late, protesting about the problems they had with the running of the centre.

Chairman Mohammed Afzal Hossain said: 'We already knew that we might have trouble with them so we had a couple of police officers at the meeting.

'When the group came in, I said if they wanted to raise any issues they could in the question and answer session.

'But they didn't come to talk to us about it, they came to start a problem.

'We were sitting there peacefully and then the hostilities started.

'We are a democratic country and you should be allowed to express your views in the appropriate manner, not by violence.'

One of the main complainants was that one of centre's directors who had left the area was no longer eligible for membership.

Mr Hossain said: 'I can't take the rules into my own hands. Under the laws of the organisation he cannot renew his membership if he doesn't live in the community.'

Several injured: In the shameful clip, one man is seen cowering against a wall pulling a blood-stained hand away from his head after being struck with a weapon, while others brandish sticks

In the shameful clip, one man is seen cowering against a wall pulling a blood-stained hand away from his head after being struck with a weapon.

Other heavily outnumbered police officers at the scene are tugged around while caught up in the chaotic violence.

A community police officer is seen punching a man in the face - sending him reeling backwards.

One fighter appears to have lost his shirt in the scrum but continues to brawl as chairs fly around him and the building's fire alarm begins to sound.

One witness, who filmed part of the incident, described the chaos, saying it 'was like something you'd see on TV'.

The man, who does not wish to be named, said he had been told there was a mini-riot going on in the community centre so went in to investigate as he was passing by.

He said: 'There was about 80 or 90 people in the room and around 40 to 50 of them were fighting. I was only there for a few minutes and saw people with grazes and blood on their arms.

'Seeing the police officer throwing the punch was quite shocking but they were completely outnumbered.

'They went to try to calm things down and ended up being attacked as well so the fact that they retaliated is understandable.

'The fight was between two parties with a different school of thought who want to run the centre.'

Along with the video, a message was posted to Facebook reading: 'DISGUSTING SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.

'This is what happens, when people start taking sides rather them be civilised... Many injured and in hospital.

'This is nothing to do with Islam, the exact opposite. Judge Islam by reading the Qur'an, don't look at these idiotic actions to judge the faith.'

Hurls chair: A man prepares to toss a chair into the crowd in scenes resembling a Wild West tavern brawl

Police have now arrested 13 people in connection with the incident. Six people were treated for injuries.

Chief Inspector Nik Adams, of Leeds District Police, said: 'A small number of neighbourhood PCs and PCSOs supporting a community event have been faced with a violent incident involving large numbers of people during which they themselves have come under attack.

‘They have quickly called in further officers to assist and within minutes brought the incident under control.

'Enquiries into the circumstances of this incident continue and we would urge anyone with information or phone footage to call Leeds District CID via 101 or speak to one of our officers on patrol in the area.

'The local neighbourhood policing team are continuing to work with those at the Bangladeshi Centre and the wider community to prevent further incidents and to provide reassurance.'

Aftermath: Police eventually appeared to get the crowd under control as they formed a line with piles of chairs stacked up behind them. Several arrests were made

Shocked: Local Labour councillor Arif Hussain

More than 100,000 people have watched the violent incident online - and it has been condemned by a local Labour councillor.

Arif Hussain, who represents the Harehills area for Leeds City Council, claims the row broke out during the centre's AGM between two rival factions who both want to take charge.

He told Mirror Online: 'I'm shocked. It's completely unacceptable. There are 802 members and it's up to them to decide who they want to run the centre, just like for an MP or a councillor.

'It all started a long time ago. There's one group saying they have one support from the Bangladeshi community and the other group saying 'we should be running the centre'.

'It's not great for the community, it's not great for the area, it's not great for the city.'

The Bangladeshi Community Centre is used as a congregating point for Palestinian activists, Labour Party officials, and the Islamic Relief charity, which has held a number of events in the building.

Labour councillor Asghar Khan has repeatedly been pictured at the venue.

It is not the first time an altercation has occurred at the venue. In 2013, the Yorkshire Post reporteda fight on the morning of Eid celebrations.

On that occasion, there were no injuries reported.

Community meeting point: The Bangladeshi Community Centre is in the Harehills area of Leeds and has been used as a congregating point for Palestinian activists, Labour Party officials, and the Islamic Relief charity



