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PUBLIC HEARING ON LITTLE INDIA RIOT from 19 February
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YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
YOUR VIEW on Little India COI: What defines bravery?
By Yahoo! Singapore | Yahoo Newsroom
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Associated Press/Joseph Nair – In this photo taken Feb. 9, 2014, police officers watch over migrant workers as they wait for shuttle buses to take them back their dormitories after spending their day off in
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These past two weeks have been a revelation of sort. This COI is not boring at all. The line of questioning against the policemen on duty that day is aggressive. What is at the heart of the debate appears to be whether our police officers are cowards. Not pretty at all. The COI seems to have their mind set on a few things:
1. Police should have “lathi” and “pepper spray” with them all the time.
2. Police should have gone on an offensive with the rioters. It does not matter that they are outnumbered — they don the uniform so they must die for the country to protect the integrity of the force and our nation.
3. Police have guns. What is the use of gun if you don’t brandish them and shoot. Collateral damage is to be expected.
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Bertha Henson put it quite well here:
“Still, should we expect acts of individual heroism? That would be nice. It would be great to read about a heroic policeman who charges into the crowd, fires one shot in the air and the rioters disperse. We would have saved several vehicles and stopped more policemen getting wounded. We would put him on stage and given him a medal or two. The COI seems to think that might have happened instead of “holding the ground’’. Of course, the hero could have been trampled upon, a drunk might have wrested his gun from him and started firing. Oooh! More bloodshed. And the hero becomes a target of derision, for not taking “considered’’ decisions and acting rashly. So the boys in blue preferred to be cautious. The COI will have to judge whether caution should have been the order of the night.”
For the whole letter by Calvin Kok Ying Hui, 31, Sales Promoter, click on
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/your-view-on-little-india-coi–what-defines-bravery-091057395.html
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Committee asks cop who ran from ambulance in Little India riot: How can the law run away? http://buff.ly/1lo5UqW pic.twitter.com/iGtj9VUhhd
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Little India Riot: The police officer who braved the odds
By Terry Xu
Testifying before the Committee of Inquiry (COI) for the Little India riot on Tuesday, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Jonathan Tang, was one of the first few police officers who responded to the accident at Race Course Road on 8th Dec 2013. As he was the highest ranked officer on site, he became the ground commander on scene by default.
ASP Tang was at Kampong Java Neighbourhood Police Post when he heard a call for backup at 9.27 pm.
When he arrived at the scene at 9.40 pm, he had to wade through the mass of people that had gathered, pushing them aside to get past the crowd.
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Overwhelming odds
In an attempt to gain control of the situation with the limited police resources available to him, he resorted to traversing the area around Tekka Lane where the riot was taking place, risking being hit by projectiles thrown to the bus to seek out other officers who might be in the area. His intention was to consolidate the strength on site. He was also looking for any lone officer who might be left stranded, as he was also concerned that the firearm would be seized by the crowd.
While he was on the move, he got struck at his head by a rock, and was bleeding from the wound.
He then came to a group of 10 officers who were seeking shelter between a fire engine and an ambulance. Two officers were seen to be injured. In view of the risk of being overwhelmed by the crowd, they sought refuge in the ambulance.
Not an act of cowardice
He disagreed with the suggestion that he was being afraid of the crowd and therefore hiding in the ambulance. He explained that he was in the ambulance to regroup and plan the next course of action with the other officers.
After the crowd cleared the path of the ambulance which they were in by overturning a police car blocking their way, “It is now or never”, told ASP Tang to the ambulance driver. The ambulance then sped forward towards Bukit Timah Road where they formed a police line, to prevent the rioters from progressing beyond Bukit Timah Road as they waited for the SOC to arrive.
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Singapore Buzz @singapore_buzz
Little India riot COI: Workers around bus wanted to “kill timekeeper, burn bus”: February 24, 2014 3:03 PM About… http://dlvr.it/50db6W
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Full account of how the Singapore Government applied the Sun Tzu Art of War in handling the Little India Riot http://andyngtrainer.blogspot.sg/search?q=LITTLE+INDIA+RIOT …
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WITNESS AT LITTLE INDIA RIOT: THE BUS TIME KEEPER WAS RUDE TO THE FOREIGN WORKERS
Certis Cisco officer Nathan Chandra Sekaran told the committee of inquiry into the Little India riot yesterday that the female timekeeper, who was attacked during the Little India Riot last year was often rude to the foreign workers.
Nathan, who is sent to Little India on weekends said that he would often see a female timekeeper at the bus stop shouting and calling the workers stupid or idiots.
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Being able to understand Tamil, Nathan recounted that the crowd was shouting and already throwing things at the bus and some of the workers had been saying in Tamil that the accident was the Time Keeper’s fault because she was the one who had forced the man to get off the bus.
They were angry and shouting that they wanted to “kill the timekeeper” and “burn the bus”.
In his opinion and from his experience, the Certis Cisco officer said that the riot was probably fuelled by alcohol given at up to 80% of the workers who visit Little India like to drink alcohol while there.
Testifying further about what happened after the riot started to break out he said that police were slow to respond as they were waiting for backup. He thought that if arrests were made earlier in the night of some of the rowdy and threatening workers, the riot probably could have been prevented.
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YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
Temporary law to maintain public order in Little India passed
By Nurul Azliah Aripin | Yahoo NewsroomThe Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Bill to maintain peace in Little India was passed after over four hours of debate in Parliament on Tuesday.
The new temporary law, which will be effective for a year, provides law enforcement authorities with additional powers to maintain public order in the district, where a rare riot took place last December.
The additional powers include conducting interviews and searches on people in the neighbourhood for alcohol and prohibited items.
Officers will also be given the power to ban individuals from the area during specified times, if they are deemed as a threat to public order.
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NO, THE INDIAN MAN WAS NOT PUSHED OFF THE BUS BUT GOT OFF VOLUNTARILY!
YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
Little India riot COI: Videos show accident victim’s final moments, start of riot
By Chiu Peace | Yahoo Newsroom So far, a four-man Committee of Inquiry (COI), chaired by former Supreme Court judge G. Pannir Selvam, has heard and seen video evidence that the Indian worker whose death sparked off the riot, Sakthivelu Kumaravelu, was not “manhandled or thrust off” a bus he was on. This was theorised by some foreign media, said senior state counsel David Khoo in his opening statement.
He also revealed details on how the riot unfolded.
Khoo said that shortly before the bus was due to depart Little India, a worker informed the bus’ timekeeper, Wong Geck Woon, that 33-year-old Sakthivelu appeared to be drunk and that he had pulled down his bermudas.
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Video footage played at the hearing, which will not be released publicly due to sensitivity issues, showed Sakthivelu alighting voluntarily after Wong asked him to do so.
A separate video revealed the worker walking and thereafter running alongside the bus as it departed and moved along Tekka Lane. 
According to senior state counsel David Khoo, the Little India driver stopped the bus with car plate number CB6978T immediately after running over.Moments later, the deceased
Moments later, the deceased was shown being run over after falling directly onto the path of the front left wheel of the bus.
According to a scientist, at one point, the deceased’s right hand came in contact with the side of the bus.
The forensic scientist added that the deceased was in the driver’s blind spot when he fell, but would have still been visible on the bus’ CCTV.
The pathologist said the deceased died instantaneously.
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TODAY
Bus driver, timekeeper to testify at Little India riot public inquiry
SINGAPORE — Some key eyewitnesses will be providing evidence at the public hearing for the Committee of Inquiry on the Little India riot, Channel NewsAsia understands. The public hearing starts tomorrow (Feb 19).
The eyewitnesses include 55-year-old Mr Lee Kim Huat, the bus driver involved in the fatal accident at Little India, and 38-year-old Madam Wong Geck Woon, the time-keeper on the bus.
The public hearing is expected to last at least four weeks.
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/bus-driver-timekeeper-testify-little-india-riot-public-inquiry
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Straits Times Breaking News
Little India riot: No action to be taken against bus driver in fatal accident
1:14 PM
The driver of the bus involved in the fatal traffic accident that sparked the Little India riot last December will not be facing any legal action.
A review of available evidence has showed that Mr Lee Kim Huat, who also goes by the alias of Lim Hai Tiong, had not committed any offence leading to the accident, said the Attorney-General’s Chambers in a statement on Tuesday.
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YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
First man to plead guilty in Singapore Little India Riot gets 15 weeks jail
By Jeanette Tan | Yahoo Newsroom – Tue, Feb 11, 2014
AFP News/Roslan Rahman – Pedestrians look at a tribute board on December 11, 2013 set up for the Indian national who was killed in an accident which triggered a riot in Singapore’s Little India…
Singapore’s courts on Monday afternoon sentenced the first of 25 men who were charged in the aftermath of the Little India Riot.
Indian national Chinnappa Vijayaragunatha Poopathi, 32, was sentenced to 15 weeks in jail for failing to disperse from “an assembly of about 10 men” at a nearby canteen despite police orders to do so, reported Channel NewsAsia on Tuesday morning.
Chinnappa, who was not actually part of the mob, was initially charged with rioting, but on Friday pleaded guilty to an amended charge of failing to disperse. This is an offence that is punishable by up to two years’ jail and a fine. This is also reportedly the first time a person has been charged and sentenced for failing to disperse.
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THE NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL ON LITTLE INDIA RIOT
Published last month, the editorial, Singapore’s Angry Migrant Workers, claimed that the Little India riot was caused by the frustration of migrant workers over their wages and living conditions. It called on Singapore to ensure that transient workers here are “not marginalised and abused”.
Here is the letter Mr Mirpuri sent to the Times:
Singapore’s Angry Migrant Workers” (editorial, Dec. 28) suggested that 400 migrant workers in Singapore rioted on Dec 8 because of building frustration over their wages and living conditions, yet offered scant evidence for this.
The rioters were employed by dozens of different employers and stayed in different residential dormitories. The riot occurred on the workers’ day off and was localized to a congregation area for recreation. It did not spread to dormitories, workplaces or any other location. It is thus most unlikely that the rioters were motivated by the issues you ascribed.
The government’s preliminary assessment is that they acted spontaneously, triggered by a fatal traffic accident. In any case, a committee of inquiry, headed by a retired judge, will establish definitively the factors that led to the riot.
Migrant workers do contribute to our economy. They work legally and voluntarily. We strive to ensure that they are fairly treated and properly paid. Laws deal strictly with errant employers who ill-treat employees. Surveys show consistently that the vast majority of our migrant workers want to continue working in Singapore.
You state that “the government hopes to increase the overall population from 5.4 million to 6.9 million by 2030.” On the contrary, this was a top-end projection for purposes of long-term infrastructure planning. While we will continue to need migrant workers, especially for construction, we have been tightening the inflow of migrant workers to slow the growth of our population.
We will treat our migrant workers with respect, but will take firm action against those who break our laws.
Ashok Mirpuri
Singapore’s Ambassador to the United States
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/govt-responds-nyt-editorial-little-india-riot?page=1
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TODAY
Govt responds to NYT editorial on Little India Riot
Newspaper ‘prevaricated’, raised fresh objections instead of publishing letter by S’pore Ambassador to the US, in response to editorial, says Govt
Published: 14 January, 9:10 PM
SINGAPORE — In a strongly worded statement, the Government has taken issue with the New York Times for not publishing a letter by the Singapore Ambassador to the United States to “set out the facts”, in response to an editorial on the Little India riot.
“The New York Times, like any other newspaper, is entitled to express its own opinions. But when it suppresses rejoinders that express a contrary view, and show that the Times is mistaken, it gives the lie to its claim to champion freedom of speech and the truth,” said the Government in a statement issued today (Jan 14).
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Published last month, the editorial, Singapore’s Angry Migrant Workers, claimed that the Little India riot was caused by the frustration of migrant workers over their wages and living conditions. It called on Singapore to ensure that transient workers here are “not marginalised and abused”.
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/govt-responds-nyt-editorial-little-india-riot?page=1
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Justice is swift and sure in Singapore!
Malaysian Insider
Singapore to deport South Asian workers involved in riot
A police van transporting arrested foreign labourers arrives at the Subordinate courts in Singapore today. – AFP pic.
Singapore today said it will deport 53 South Asian workers and pursue criminal charges against 28 others for their involvement in the city-state’s first riot in more than four decades.
“We have taken strong and decisive action to charge, and to repatriate those who took part in the riot to send a strong signal that we will not tolerate actions by anyone which threaten law and order in Singapore,” Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean told a news conference.
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Fifty-two of the 53 men being deported are Indian nationals, while one is a Bangladeshi, said police commissoner Ng Joo Hee.
They were hauled up today morning and will be deported after travel and administrative arrangements are settled, he said.
The 28 men facing rioting charges remain in police custody pending further investigations and can expect seven years in jail plus caning if found guilty.
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About 200 others who were at the scene of the riot but whose involvement was deemed to be “relatively passive” will be handed warnings by the police.
Singapore to deport South Asian workers involved in riot
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HUMAN RESOURCES MINISTER RIOT SAYS NO RIOT IN MALAYSIA!
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot said that foreign workers in Malaysia are happy.
WERE THEY HAPPY YESTERDAY AT BETONG?
The link comes from Thomas A C Tan!
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Thomas A C Tan
http://www.ntv7.com.my/…/BETONG_AMOK_INCIDENT…
A parang-wielding Indonesian worker was shot dead in Betong, Sarawak when he tried to slash a policeman who went to investigate an amok incident.
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NST
14 December 2013| last updated at 11:16PM
Indonesian workers demand answers from police
KUCHING: A big crowd of Indonesian workers converged at the Pusa police station near Betong today, following the death of their colleague.
It is learnt that the group sought answers from the police after one of their colleagues was allegedly shot dead by a policeman from the station.
State deputy police commissioner Datuk Low Hong Soon refused to comment on the matter, saying that police would release a statement once they had full details of the in cident.
It is learnt members of the General Operations Force from Sri Aman 10th Battalion was dispatched to the police station to control the situation.
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Click on the link for a slide show of the memorial to the dead Indian foreign worker:
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TO THE WARNING THAT WHAT HAPPENED IN SINGAPORE COULD HAPPEN HERE IN MALAYSIA, READ WHAT THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR IMMIGRANT LABOUR SAYS.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot said that as far as Malaysia is concerned, there has never been any riots caused by foreign workers.
Why?
Our policy is “so good and makes everybody happy, including foreigners working here. If they are not happy, then they will (cause problems) but so far, there has not been any (riots), which means they are happy.”
He also said the ministry and other agencies keep tabs on the situation to ensure nothing untoward takes place.
Read:
The Sun daily. Foreign workers in M’sia are happy, says minister (Foreign workers in M’sia are happy, says minister)
WE HOPE THAT HE IS RIGHT.
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The Sun daily
MTUC: S’pore riot a wake up call to M’sia
Last updated on 12 December 2013 – 04:14pm
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 12, 2013): The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has called on the Human Resource Ministry to hold a tripartite meeting between the government, employers and employees to work out a strategy to prevent rioting by foreign workers.
Its president, Khalid Atan said a recent foreign workers riot in Singapore should serve as a wake-up call to Malaysia in preparing a strategy to anticipate and contain such occurrences.
Growing discontent among foreign workers in Malaysia due to poor working conditions, discrimination and low wages are like a “time bomb”, he said, adding so far dissatisfaction among foreign workers in the country were confined to factories and work places.
Khalid felt that if a widespread discontent among foreign workers was not addressed, it could spell trouble for the country in years to come.
He said the MTUC felt that the government should take steps to reduce and even curtail recruitment of foreign workers until it could come out with a plan to cater to their basic needs and rights.
The government should also stop out sourcing companies from importing workers who could not find jobs here, he added.
MTUC: S’pore riot a wake up call to M’sia
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THE WORK TO PROBE THE RIOT AND PICK UP THE CULPRITS HAS BEGUN…
The Star
Thursday December 12, 2013 MYT 7:42:45 AM
Cops question thousands over riot in Little India
SINGAPORE: Singapore police have questioned nearly 4,000 foreign workers in a widening crackdown following the city-state’s first riot in more than 40 years, officials confirmed.
Three more Indian nationals were charged in court yesterday with rioting, in addition to 24 compatriots charged a day earlier with the same offence, which is punishable by up to seven years in jail and caning.
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A police spokesman said that so far 176 men including those placed under arrest had been taken to a police complex to have their statements recorded.
Around 3,700 foreign workers living in dormitories have been interviewed as well, she said.
The breakdown of their nationalities was not given.
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The 55-year-old Singaporean bus driver who knocked down and killed Indian construction worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu, 33, has been released on bail after being charged with causing death by a negligent act.
Activists have urged authorities to investigate whether the violence on Sunday was an indication of wider discontent among low-wage migrant workers.
Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean, who looks after internal security, said police had increased their presence in worker dormitories and places where foreign workers gather.
Cops question thousands over riot in Little India
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Star
A makeshift memorial board in memory of Sakthivel had also been erected at the scene.
Cops question thousands over riot in Little India
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Star
Wednesday December 11, 2013 MYT 1:00:04 PM
Singapore riot: Thousands questioned in widening crackdown
A group of Indian nationals, who allegedly took part in the riot, arriving in a police van at the Subordinate courts on Tuesday. – The Straits Times
There are nearly 700,000 foreign workers holding “work-permits”, allowing them to work in certain sectors such as construction and shipping for two-year periods, subject to renewal, according to official data.
Sunday’s riot was the second incident involving a large group of foreign workers in the past year.
In November 2012, 171 Chinese bus drivers stopped work to demand better wages and living conditions – the first industrial strike in Singapore since 1986.
Five of the drivers served jail terms after it was declared an illegal strike, while 29 others were deported without trial.
Singapore riot: Thousands questioned in widening crackdown
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VIDEO: LUCKY PEOPLE: QUICK ENOUGH TO ESCAPE WITH THEIR LIVES FROM A RAGING SCREAMING MOB!
Published on Dec 10, 2013
A video posted on Facebook on Tuesday shows rioters pelting police and paramedics with objects as they fled from an ambulance where they were taking cover. Some workers nearer the ambulance, however, were helping the officers out
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WERE THEY TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RIOT AND ITS AFTERMATH TO INCREASE THEIR BUSINESS?
Well, it has backfired.
YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
Fish & Co apologises for ‘distasteful’ riot ad
By Nurul Azliah Aripin | Yahoo Newsroom
Yahoo Newsroom – Facebook screengrab on Fish and Co.’s Little India riot ad taken from Mothership blog.
Seafood restaurant Fish & Co. Singapore apologised on Tuesday after being slammed online for running an “insensitive” meal advertisement on its Facebook page.
“Stay Away From Riot & Eat Bombay Fish and Chips”, said the tongue-in-cheek ad, referring to the riot that had occurred in Little India just two days before, in which a 33-year-old Indian national died. The photo of the meal was superimposed on a background photo of Little India.
The company’s advertisement, came with a caption of “Let’s all stay clam, not make speculations [sic] and just eat fish”, was posted on Facebook on Monday but came under fire immediately with many netizens labelling it “distasteful” and “insensitive”. Many also said it was very “wrong timing”.
By Tuesday morning, the ad had been taken down.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/fish—co-apologises-for-distasteful-riot-ad-070856900.html
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Fish & Co. Singapore
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YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
Deceased foreign worker in Little India riot was drunk, ejected from bus: Police
By Elena Torrijos | Yahoo Newsroom – Sun, Dec 8, 2013
[UPDATED: on 9 December at 7pm, adding more details from police]
The 33-year-old Indian national who died after being run over by a bus was drunk, said Singapore police in new details that emerged from its investigation into an accident that triggered the first riot in Singapore in more than 40 years.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, police told local media that the man, reportedly identified as construction worker Sakthivel Kumarvelu, was drunk and causing trouble when he boarded the bus that eventually ran him down.
According to local media, the bus was full but he climbed on anyway and started to cause trouble. The bus was ferrying workers from Tekka Lane back to their dormitory in Jalan Papan. At one point, Sakthivel pulled his pants down and the bus driver asked his female timekeeper assistant — in charge of keeping the bus running on schedule — to get him to alight, reported Today newspaper. Channel NewsAsia reported that the female timekeeper on (the) bus (was) assaulted” before the 55-year-old bus driver closed the bus doors.
Moments later, as the bus turned into Race Course Road, the driver heard a soft thud at the side of the bus — Sakthivel had been knocked down and caught under the bus’ left tyre.
After the accident, the crowd outside the bus became “agitated”, attacking the bus driver and timekeeper by throwing bottles, stones and dustbins at the bus.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire–rioting-taking-place-in-little-india–reports-152651999.html
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Malaysia Chronicle
Tuesday, 10 December 2013 13:38
S’PORE RIOT: Indian worker killed was drunk & had dropped his TROUSERS Written by Maria Begum, Malaysia Chronicle
Usual Sunday, no hint of any trouble
In any case, those who know Singapore’s Little India well, will know the usual weekend grind there.
From where the Bugis section ends right down to Farrer Road where the amazing Mustafa shopping centre is located, the whole area is always teeming with bus loads of foreign workers ferried there to do their weekly shopping. They are mostly of Indian, Bangladeshi or Pakistan origin.
According to The New Paper, last weekend was no different. It started like any ordinary Sunday evening for 33-year-old Indian national Sakthivel Kumaravelu: a trip to Little India for dinner and drinks with friends.
But, by the end of the night, the scaffolding-company worker was pinned under a bus, his death sparking off Singapore’s worst riot in decades.
On Monday, police revealed that he was drunk when he attempted to board an already-full chartered bus to his Jurong dorm. He even dropped his trousers.
Forced off the vehicle, he wandered off and was later knocked down. The driver has since been arrested for causing death by a negligent act.
Were the police overzealous or was the crowd spoiling for a fight?
But just how the accident turned into a violent riot remains a mystery. At first, the anger was directed at the bus staff. Then, its focus shifted to police and rescue officers, 34 of whom were injured while 16 police cars were damaged.
Did the crowd take offence at being asked to keep their distance while the officers tried to do their job, as some speculated online?
A police spokesman said extricating the body was made “extremely difficult” as the crowd had become “boisterous”.
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Star
Tuesday December 10, 2013 MYT 12:07:50 PM
Singapore riot: Detained Malaysia released, 24 charged
PETALING JAYA: Singapore police have released a Malaysian detained for investigation over possible involvement in Sunday night’s riot in Little India.
Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Husni Zai Yaacob said the mission was informed of this by Singapore police Tuesday but no other details were provided.
“We have asked for more information on the man, what he is doing but the police promised to provide the information later,” Husni said when contacted.
On the five injured Malaysians with permanent resident status who worked as auxiliary police personnel with the republic’s security firms, Husni said they suffered only minor injuries, and have been discharged and were back at work.
Singapore riot: Detained Malaysia released, 24 charged
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According to Singapore’s Straits Times, of those detained, 24 were Indian nationals, two were Bangladeshi nationals and one a Singaporean permanent resident.
Is the Malaysian detained the Singaporean permanent resident mentioned in that report?
Star
Tuesday December 10, 2013 MYT 9:23:30 AM
Singapore riot: Malaysian detained over possible involvement, says Wisma Putra
PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian national has been detained for investigation over possible involvement in Sunday night’s riot in Singapore’s Little India.
A statement Tuesday from the Foreign Ministry said it was informed of this by the High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore.
It added that mission has also been informed “unofficially” by the Singapore Police Command Post that five auxiliary police personnel, who are Malaysians with permanent resident status in the island state, suffered minor injuries while assisting Singapore police in handling the riot.
“The five Malaysians are working with three major security firms employed by the government of Singapore to assist the Singapore police in its operation,” the Wisma Putra statement said.
The High Commission, it added, will render the necessary consular assistance to the affected Malaysians in coordination with the authorities of Singapore.
Singapore riot: Malaysian detained over possible involvement, says Wisma Putra
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Many traders may not find large numbers of foreign immigrants conducive to business.
Star
Big crowds of foreign workers turn off Singaporeans, say business owners
Night of chaos: A man hurrying past a burning ambulance during the riot along Race Course Road. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network
SINGAPORE: Restaurants and shop owners along the Race Course Road which was the scene of the worst riot in the republic in decades are worried their businesses may suffer.
Sundry shop owner, K. Vellu, 51, said not a single customer visited his shop yesterday.
“I just don’t know how I am going to survive if this carries on,” he said.
“People are too afraid to come to this area and I do not blame them because there is no guarantee that such a riot will not happen again.”
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…Indian restaurant manager Rangeel Singh, 45, said many locals preferred to stay away from the street due to the large crowds of foreigners, especially Indian nationals, who usually gather there on Sundays.
”They sit and gather on the pavements, on the fields, drinking, talking and catching up, but their numbers scare away the locals,” he said, adding that on a normal day his outlet would receive between 80 and 100 customers but on Sundays the visitors would drop to about 20.
Singapore Police, SCDF draw praise for handling of Little India riot
By Chiu Peace | Yahoo Newsroom
Scenes of rioting in Singapore’s Little India district on Sunday evening may have raised fears about safety and social harmony in the city-state, but police and civil defence authorities have also won praise from the public for the handling of the rare incident.
The first riot in Singapore in more than 40 years left 18 people, including Singapore Police Force officers and Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel, injured and police vehicles burnt. The incident is widely believed to have been sparked by a fatal traffic accident at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road.
Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee said during a press conference in the wee hours of Monday morning that the riot broke out after police received a call about the accident at 9:23pm.
Ng added that the 300 police officers deployed “displayed maximum restraint” and “did not fire any weapon, lethal or non-lethal, throughout the incident”.
By 1am Monday, the police had issued a statement that the riot was under control.
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YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
COMMENT: Little India riot a matter of serious consequences
By Andrew Loh | SingaporeScene
Andrew helms publichouse.sg as Editor-in-Chief. His writings have been reproduced in other publications, including the Australian Housing Journal in 2010. He was nominated by Yahoo Singapore as one of Singapore’s most influential media persons in 2011. The views expressed here are his own.
The “riot” in Little India on Sunday night has far-reaching consequences for Singapore. It goes to the very heart of how we build, literally, this home of ours and its economic progress.
Our dependence on foreigners has become legendary, with some 40 per cent – 2 million – of our population being non-local. The rapid increase in this number had led to extreme strain not only on physical infrastructure but also on public services. But more importantly, the more serious consequence has always been the social tension between Singaporeans and foreigners.
With the influx, the discomfort between the two groups have heightened in recent times, even as the government sought to alleviate this with various measures, including “sharpening” the distinction in state welfare, and in integration efforts.
However, with such a huge foreign population, such measures will take a long time to bear fruit. And as Sunday’s violence shows, things can take a serious turn in a heartbeat.
Click on the link for the full article:
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THE FIGURES
1 ARRESTED: 27 people (23-45 years old): 24 Indian nationals, 2 Bangladeshis and a Singapore Permanent Resident.
2 INJURED: 39 police, SCDF and auxillary officers were injured.
3 DAMAGED: 25 emergency vehicles; five were set on fire.
4. NUMBER OF RIOTERS: estimated to be 400.
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Star
Monday December 9, 2013 MYT 5:35:09 PM
Singapore riot: PM Lee sets up Committee of Inquiry
Members of the Special Operation Command stand in front of a burning ambulance in Little India along Race Course Road on 8 December, 2013.
SINGAPORE: A committee of inquiry will be set up to investigate the causes of the riots that broke out in Little India on Sunday night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.
“The COI will look into the factors that led to the incident and how the incident was handled on the ground. It will also review the current measures to manage areas where foreign workers congregate, whether they are adequate and how they can be improved. MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) will provide more details when ready,” he said in a statement.
Lee said the riot was an isolated incident arising from the unlawful actions of an unruly mob reacting to a fatal traffic accident.
“The vast majority of foreign workers in Singapore are law-abiding workers. They contribute to our economy, working hard to earn a living and support their families back home. We must not allow this bad incident to tarnish our views of the foreign worker community here,” he said.
Singapore riot: PM Lee sets up Committee of Inquiry
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Star
Monday December 9, 2013 MYT 8:02:49 PM
Singapore riot: Complete alcohol ban in Little India this weekend
Police arresting a suspect during the riots in Little India on Sunday night.
SINGAPORE: There will be a complete ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol this weekend in the Race Course Road area where a riot broke out in Little India on Sunday night.
Second Minister for Home Affairs S Iswaran told reporters on Monday evening that details of the ban, such as exactly what time it will apply and what geographical area it will cover, will be worked out by the police.
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YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
Deceased foreign worker in Little India Riot was drunk: Police
By Elena Torrijos | Yahoo Newsroom
UPDATED: on 9 December at 7pm, adding more details from police]
The 33-year-old Indian national who died after being run over by a bus was drunk, said Singapore police in new details that emerged from its investigation into an accident that triggered the first riot in Singapore in more than 40 years.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, police told local media that the man, reportedly identified as construction worker Sakthivel Kumarvelu, was drunk and causing trouble when he boarded the bus that eventually ran him down.
According to tweets from local media, the bus was full but he climbed on anyway, causing a nuisance. It is unclear what happened after that but Channel NewsAsia reported that a Singaporean “female timekeeper on (the) bus (was) assaulted”, and the 55-year-old bus driver closed its doors.
After the accident, the crowd outside the bus became “agitated”, attacking the bus driver and timekeeper by throwing bottles, stones and dustbins at the bus, the broadcaster tweeted.
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The bus driver, a 55-year-old Singaporean, was arrested and is out on bail. He will be charged with causing death by a negligent act, said police. If found guilty, the driver is set for a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire–rioting-taking-place-in-little-india–reports-152651999.html
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This is a very good article!
5 things you might have missed in the aftermath of Little india riot
Click on the link:
5 things you might have missed in the aftermath of Little India riot
5 things you might have missed in the aftermath of the Little India riot: http://bit.ly/1d4pBfI #LittleIndiaRiot
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SINGAPORE’S PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK
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ST Breaking News
Little India Riot: Migrant workers’ group urges public against online hatred, xenophobia
12:15 PM
Migrant workers’ group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) has appealed to the public to be mindful not to flame hatred and xenophobia when commenting on the riot that happened in Little India on Sunday night.
Little India Riot: Migrant workers’ group urges public against online hatred, xenophobia
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Shopkeepers, beneficiaries of the buying power of immigrant labour from South India, are principal losers.
ST Breaking News
Little India Riot: Shopowners pick up the pieces
12:31 PM
Shopowners and residents affected by the riot in Little India on Sunday night were seen clearing up the debris from the violence, with most counting their losses.
Mr Abdul Hakeem, a shop assistant at fruits and vegetable retailer Guru’s Marketing, said on Monday morning that it would most likely take him “all day” to determine how much costs he would incur.
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Most businesses along Race Course Road were open as usual on Monday with restaurants along the stretch starting to fill up by noon. Groups of foreign workers were seen chatting among themselves at the nearby Tekka Lane, getting updates on what had happened the night before.
Little India Riot: Shopowners pick up the pieces
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Fatal accident sparks angry night riot in Little India
Click on the link for a summary of the whole incident:
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire–rioting-taking-place-in-little-india–reports-152651999.html
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HERE ARE SOME OF THE VIDEOS POSTED EARLIER
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Watch the mob overturn two police cars!
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ANOTHER VIDEO
Posted on 09 December 2013
STOMPers Macrofire and Sonia said that Police cars and motorbikes were overturned and set on fire when a riot broke out at Race Course Road in Little India at about 9pm today (Dec 8).
STOMPer Scott, who was at the scene, said that the crowd was trying to smash the windows of a private bus, when the Police and SCDF arrived to evacuate the driver.
However, a larger crowd appeared after this and overturned the Police cars and motorbikes before setting them on fire.
STOMPer Sonia said: “A bus drive knocked down a man and he was under the bus.
“So as the people saw that they ganged up to throw glass bottles at the bus windows and make a big mess.”
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The Straits Times understands that a Bangladeshi worker was hit by a bus earlier and first responders were believed to be attending to the victim when the riot started.
There were at least two explosions at the scene involving the vehicles. Police have cordoned the entire Race Course Road as they try to contain the situation.
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Updated with vids. Riot in Little India: Angry mob overturns Police cars & sets them on fire http://bit.ly/1bq4aXd pic.twitter.com/cUrNGJ2TVt
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TODAY’s cover: Riot breaks out in Little India, 400 involved, 27 arrested http://tdy.sg/19akewF #LittleIndiaRiot pic.twitter.com/ZvtkPMjV4e
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BBC News Asia
8 December 2013 Last updated at 21:07 GMT
Singapore bus death triggers riot
Police in Singapore have made 27 arrests after hundreds of people took part in a riot sparked by the death of an Indian national.
Trouble started after the 33-year-old man was knocked down by a private bus in a district known as Little India.
About 400 people took to the streets, hurling railings at police and torching police cars and an ambulance.
At least 16 people were hurt, most of them police officers, before the violence was brought under control.
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The hi-tech, wealthy city-state depends heavily on guest workers, with labourers from South Asia dominating sectors like construction.
Many congregate in Little India on Sundays to shop, drink and socialise.
Rioters overturned two police cars http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25294918
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ST Breaking News
Singapore Police in control of riot at Little India
Published on Dec 09, 2013
1:23 AM
The Singapore Police Force issued this press statement on Sunday night:
“On Dec 8 at 2123 hrs, a fatal traffic accident occurred between a private bus and a person at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road. Shortly after, a riot broke out involving a crowd of about 400 subjects where the subjects damaged 5 police vehicles and 1 ambulance. Several other private vehicles were also damaged. 10 officers were injured.
“Police activated resources from Special Operations Command and Gurkha Contingent to the sene and the situation is under control.
“Police would like to advise the public in the area to remain indoors while police operations are ongoing. Other members of the public are advised to keep away from the vicinity. Members of the public are also advised to stay calm and not to speculate on this incident. Members of the public with any information of the riot are advised to call the police at 1800-2550000.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Teo Chee Hean, said, “This is a serious incident which has resulted in injuries and damage to public property. the situation is now under control. Police will spare no efforts to apprehend the subjects involved in the riot.”
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EFFYontheblock @crushinglimbs
Riot in Little India and some of my friends are on duty. Please stay safe everyone ):
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The riot in Little India is getting a lil out of hand, don’t you think? Bless all the policeman and people involved.
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Keep the officers and the policemen in the little India riot in prayer
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Vulcan Post
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shahanaaz habib @shahanaazhabib
Pix of Riot in Singapore at Little India pic.twitter.com/KGgEYAEeY8
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Watch the mob overturn two police cars!
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Pallavi Reddy @pallavireports
Riots in Singapore?! http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/busloads-riot-police-respond-rioting-mob-the-heart-little-india-201312 …
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Photo
F | A Riot in little india… One man was shot to death by a police officer too..! pic.twitter.com/iyzxhoiJbf
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Photo
Michael Vincent Riot in Singapore’s Little India; some used it as excuse for racial jokes http://ift.tt/1bpb63t pic.twitter.com/0C0vG02KL
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ANOTHER VIDEO
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Fire, rioting taking place in Little India
Yahoo Newsroom – 1 hour 7 minutes ago
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Black smoke is seen billowing near the Little India MRT station evening of Sunday, 8 December 2013.
Rioting is taking place in Little India, where a fire has also been seen.
The Singapore Police Force tweeted at 11:47pm Sunday evening that a riot was ongoing at Race Course Road and Hempshire Road and that police are at the scene.
They advised the public to stay away from the area.
Photos showed an ambulance had been set on fire and police cars had been overturned by an angry mob.
According to an earlier tweet by The Straits Times, at least 200 people are rioting there.
It reported that the rioting by mainly foreign workers started after a bus hit a Bangladeshi worker.
A fire and billowing smoke were spotted coming from Race Course Road near the Little India MRT station.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire–rioting-taking-place-in-little-india–reports-152651999.html
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Breaking News: Riots Break Out in Little India, Singapore
Added by Michele Wessel on December 8, 2013.
Saved under Breaking News!, Michele Wessel, Singapore, World
Eyewitness accounts of riots in the area of Little India in Singapore are pouring in via Twitter. Witnesses report at least 200 people rioting as well as multiple burning vehicles including cars and an ambulance, bottles being thrown, the deployment of police in riot gear and at least one overturned police vehicle. No mention yet of what has instigated this riot activity. Witnesses are advising anyone in the region to stay clear of the area as violence is ongoing.
By Michele Wessel
Sources
Breaking News: Riots Break Out in Little India, Singapore
guardianlv.com/…/breaking-news-riots-break-out-in-little–india–singapor…
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SG FORUMS
Police car got flipped… Ambulances on scene, fire set on some police cars… Damn serious there now.
Ambulance set on fire…
http://sgforums.com/forums/8/topics/476822
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Star
Monday December 9, 2013 MYT 12:06:33 AM
Rioting in Singapore’s Little India, busloads of riot police dispatched
A screengrab from a video showing fires burning in Singapore’s Little India.
SINGAPORE: At least three busloads of police officers in riot gear responded to a riot that broke out along Race Course Road in Singapore around 10pm on Sunday night.
The mob, believed to be made up mainly of foreign workers, apparently attacked an ambulance and a traffic police highway patrol car responding to an accident earlier in the vicinity.
Singapore’s The Straits Times understands that a Bangladeshi worker was hit by a bus earlier and first responders were believed to be attending to the victim when the riot started.
At least two vehicles were set on fire.
According to preliminary reports from the ground, two vehicles were set on fire, an ambulance and a police car. A few police cars were also overturned.
At least two explosions occurred at the scene involving the vehicles.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/12/08/Singapore-riots-little-india.aspx
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