Riot breaks out in Little India

Gestapo · Dec 9, 2013

Riot breaks out in Little India

by admin
InSing - 9 December 2013 12:24 AM

Aerial view of where the riot took place (Photo: Screen grab from YouTube)

In a scene quite unlike an atypical Sunday night in Singapore, a riot has broken out at Little India.

The riot is believed to have started after a bus allegedly hit a person believed to a Bangladeshi national according to media reports. Several videos of the rioting along Racecourse Road and Hampshire Road have been uploaded onto YouTube.

In one video, a bus identified with a BT & Tan signage is seen surrounded by individuals and under attack by a man wielding an weapon (0:15) to shatter the windscreen and another man throwing a dustbin at the bus before being stopped by a passerby.

Listening to the video, a man is overheard saying in Tamil (at 0:36) “the driver is still inside.”

According to reports the crowds have since dispersed since the commotion first broke out around 9:30pm.

“At around 9:30pm we heard sirens wailing around the neighbourhood,” said Derek Lim, 35, a resident who lives on Racecourse Road. “We didn’t think too much about it but later we went out when we heard explosions and saw vehicles on fire at Racecourse and Hampshire road.”

Viknesh Kobinathan, 25, a student who lives in Little India told inSing News that he saw a police car “getting trashed by five or six people”. A report by Today has confirmed that at least one police car has been damaged also that three busloads of riot police have been dispatched to the area.

The Singapore Polcie Force has confirmed the rioting happened at 9.23pm on Sunday 8 December 2013. According to media reports, the police have said that the police are "in control" of the situation.

An update was also posted on their Facebook page notifying Facebook users that the "police officers are at scene and are dealing with the situation. The public is advised to keep away from the affected area. Further updates will be given when available."

This story is still developing. Tweet us at: https://twitter.com/inSingBuddy

Videos of the rioting have been posted on YouTube. Watch the videos below:

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Gestapo · Dec 9, 2013

[url]http://www.singsupplies.com/showthread.php?169861-BREAKING-NEWS-RIOT-amp-EXPLOSIONS-at-Little-India!!!/page2[/URL]

Gestapo · Dec 9, 2013

Updated: 12/08/2013 23:33 | By Channel NewsAsia

Riot in Singapore's Little India

SINGAPORE: Police confirm a riot occurred at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road in Little India at 9.23pm Sunday.

Police officers are at scene and are in control of the situation.

The public is advised to stay away from the affected area.

Further updates will be given when available. - CNA/ir

Gestapo · Dec 9, 2013

Singapore Police in control of riot at Little India

Published on Dec 09, 2013

-- ST PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN

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."

Gestapo · Dec 9, 2013

Busloads of riot police respond to rioting mob in the heart of Little India

Published on Dec 08, 2013

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/U9wTo7Wc3z8?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe>

By Francis Chan, Assistant News Editor

At least three busloads of police officers in riot gear responded to a riot that broke out along Race Course Road 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.

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, one of the vehicles that was on fire is an ambulance. A few police cars were overturned and one was set on fire.

There were at least two explosions at the scene involving these vehicles. Police have cordoned Race Course Road, as they try to contain the situation. A section of the shops along Buffalo Road have been ordered to shutter.

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Gestapo · Dec 9, 2013

Mob attacked emergency vehicles responding to the fatal accident in Little India

By Francis Chan, Assistant News Editor

The mob involved in the Little India riot attacked emergency vehicles that were responding to the fatal accident between a private bus and a person at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) on Monday.

"Upon arrival, there was a man trapped under a bus," said the spokesman. "An SCDF paramedic pronounced him dead on arrival (and) SCDF rescuers extricated the body using hydraulic rescue equipment. Projectiles were thrown at the SCDF rescuers while they were extricating the body. A total of 9 SCDF vehicles were damaged in the incident."

At the time of this report, the SCDF had conveyed 18 casualties including four SCDF personnel to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Muthukali · Dec 9, 2013

-Deleted post-

Sinkie · Dec 9, 2013

Muthu still dare to post here......not scared kanna walloped har?

Gestapo · Dec 9, 2013

8 December 2013 Last updated at 21:07 GMT

Singapore bus death triggers riot

Riots in Singapore's Little India district. 8 Dec 2013

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.

Police commissioner Ng Joo Hee said it was the first rioting in Singapore in more than 30 years.

He condemned the rioting as "intolerable, wanton violence".

"It is not the Singapore way," he added.

'Criminal behaviour'

Pictures and videos posted in social media showed two police cars being overturned by the mob. Several private vehicles were also damaged.

Rioting in Singapore is punishable by up to seven years in prison plus caning.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that "whatever events may have sparked the rioting, there is no excuse for such violent, destructive, and criminal behaviour".

"We will spare no effort to identify the culprits and deal with them with the full force of the law," he said in a statement.

Correspondents say the outbreak of public disorder is rare in strictly governed Singapore.

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

Little India is home to Singapore's South Asian workforce

KingsOfTheDay · Dec 9, 2013

Rare riot shocks Singapore

AFP
December 9, 2013, 4:09 pm

Singapore (AFP) - Singaporeans woke up to unfamiliar images of burnt cars and littered streets Monday after a fatal road accident triggered a riot by South Asian workers, the worst outbreak of violence in more than 40 years.

The riot erupted late Sunday in tightly-controlled Singapore's congested Little India district after a 33-year-old Indian worker was run over by a private bus.

Police said about 400 people were involved in the rare outbreak of public disorder, adding that 27 South Asian workers had been arrested on charges of rioting, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison as well as caning.

At least five vehicles including three police cars were torched in the violence. The situation was brought under control after elite police commandos arrived at the scene.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said "whatever events may have sparked the rioting, there is no excuse for such violent, destructive, and criminal behaviour."

"We will spare no effort to identify the culprits and deal with them with the full force of the law," he said in a statement.

Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee also denounced the violence as "intolerable".

"Rioting, destruction of property, it is not the Singapore way," he told a news conference early Monday.

The violence has tarnished multi-ethnic Singapore's long held reputation for public order.

Migrant labour activist Jolovan Wham said it was difficult to determine whether the violence was a symptom of "pent-up rage" among the workers.

"We should not see this ?riot? as just mindless violence which does not reflect the ?Singapore way?, as the commissioner for police says," he said. "We'll need to wait for more information before drawing any firm conclusions."

State-linked broadcaster MediaCorp said it was the first riot in Singapore since racial disturbances in 1969.

Singapore depends heavily on guest workers, with labourers from South Asia dominating sectors like construction. Many congregate in Little India on Sundays to shop, dine and drink.

The incident immediately triggered online attacks on foreign workers in Singapore, but officials called for calm and warned against speculation.

Retiree Basher Marican, 69, who was returning home when the riot escalated, said the "crowd was clearly drunk".

"They had beer and liquor bottles in their hands and some were throwing them," he said in Tamil.

"It was very unruly, I walked passed a crowd along the restaurants. There were some who were cheering others as they attacked the bus," he told AFP.

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

09/12/2013

Police statement on the Little India riots

As issued by the Singapore Police Force on Sunday evening

On 8 Dec 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 scene 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 submit their feedback via www.spf.gov.sg/feedback.

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."

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

12/09/2013 11:45

Victim of Little India fatal accident identified

The Indian national who died in the fatal accident has been identified as 33-year-old construction worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu.

SINGAPORE : The Indian national who died in the fatal accident that sparked the Little India riot on Sunday night has been identified as 33-year-old Sakthivel Kumaravelu.

According to a man who identified his body on Monday, Sakthivel has been working as a construction worker with scaffolding company Heng Hup Soon for about two years.

The man said Sakthivel suffered injuries to his face and his family has not been notified of his death.

Sakthivel was trapped under a private bus after he was hit at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road, at 9.23pm on Sunday. Shortly after, a riot broke out involving a crowd of about 400 people.

Videos showed a crowd of people smashing the windscreen of a bus, and at least three police cars being flipped over. Five vehicles including an ambulance and police vehicles, were also burnt.

Eighteen people, including the bus driver and bus conductor, were injured and 27 men from South Asia have been arrested in connection with the riot.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean has called the riot a "serious incident" and said that those responsible will be dealt with very seriously.

"I want to make very clear, that the government will not tolerate such lawless behaviour. I've asked the police to investigate the matter thoroughly, and deal with all aspects of this incident, and all persons involved, strictly, firmly, and fairly, according to our laws," he said at a news conference on Monday morning.

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

12/09/2013 14:15 | By xinmsn

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT: "I didn't think it would happen so close to home"

Jovial Chng Wen Yan, a 19-year old Nanyang Polytechnic student, was one of the first few to tweet and Instagram pictures of the Little India riots. In this exclusive interview she tells us what she saw and heard during the mob that took place on December 8, 2013

Jovial Chng Wen Yan

I’m one of the residents living just above where the riots took place (at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road) on the 19th floor. It was around 9.45pm when I heard a lot of glass bottles breaking and shouting. I took a look out of my window and I could see a riot happening, but I was too afraid to go down.

At first I just saw of a group of people attacking a bus by throwing bottles, dustbins, stones and whatever else they could find. I went back to my computer game but my mom alerted me that the riot was getting from bad to worse. This was around 10.15-10.30pm. The situation escalated very quickly and there were hundreds of them. I heard sirens and saw the crowd overturning the police cars. The next thing I saw were the vehicles bursting into flames.

Jovial Chng Wen Yan

It didn’t take long for the riot police to come – they cordoned off the road where the riots were happening and parked on the opposite road to prevent the rioters from damaging them.

I couldn’t see what happened in between as it was out of my sight so I’m not sure if the rioters had dispersed or were all rounded up. But I saw things flying towards the riot police so I assume there were some rioters attacking them. I then heard a loud sound from one of the red vehicles which they used to control the crowd. I’m not sure how the riots ended as I wasn’t able to see everything.

Throughout the riot I was tweeting and instagramming pictures of what was going on, and many of my friends were shocked that this could happen in Singapore. The media also contacted me asking for more pictures and details.

I felt quite scared during the riot. I’ve studied rioting incidents in other countries in school but I didn’t think it would happen so close to home. I’m angry at the rioters for vandalizing the streets and hurting the police who are protecting us. It was my first encounter and it's quite traumatizing. I wasn’t expecting the rioters to overturn and burn the police cars. I hope incidents like these won’t happen again.

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

Don't spread rumours over Little India riot, police tell netizens

SINGAPORE: Police have advised netizens against spreading unsubstantiated information in the aftermath of the violence in Little India on Sunday night.

They said such acts would be unhelpful to investigations, may generate unnecessary public alarm, and cause fear and panic in the community.

Posting on their Facebook page on Monday afternoon, police also laid out some key facts to dispel rumours circulating online.

They said it was a fact that police officers displayed maximum restraint and did not fire any weapon throughout the incident, and this had prevented the incident from escalating further.

Police also said they resolved the situation and had it under control within an hour.

- CNA/ac

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

Updated: 12/09/2013 16:30 | By Channel NewsAsia

SCDF officers injured in Little India riot discharged from hospital

SINGAPORE: Twelve Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers who were injured in Sunday night's violence in Little India have been discharged from hospital.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, SCDF said the 12 officers had sustained lacerations on the face and cuts on their hands when projectiles were hurled at them while they were carrying out their duties at the scene.

The 12 were among 60 SCDF officers deployed to Little India.

SCDF also sent out six ambulances, one red rhino, one fire engine and four support vehicles to the scene, where a riot had broken out.

Of these, nine vehicles were badly damaged, including three ambulances, the red rhino, the fire engine and the support vehicles.

The remaining vehicles were damaged in varying degrees, from scratches to smashed windscreen.

SCDF said despite the incident, there is no disruption to its firefighting, rescue and emergency ambulance services.

It added that the morale and spirit of its personnel remain high. - CNA/gn

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

Updated: 12/09/2013 03:10 | By Channel NewsAsia

27 arrested over riot in Little India

SINGAPORE: Police have arrested 27 suspects from South Asia in connection with the Little India riot on Sunday.

More arrests are expected in the coming days.

Police say the riot was sparked off by a fatal accident involving a 33-year-old Indian national who was knocked down by a private bus.

The riot involved some 400 people.

Police have classified the case as one of "rioting with dangerous weapons".

This information was released at a news conference which was called in the early hours of Monday morning.

It has been more than 40 years since Singapore witnessed a riot of this extent.

The government has emphasised that this incident, which was not pre-meditated, will be dealt with very seriously.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said: "I want to make very clear that the government will not tolerate such lawless behaviour. I have asked the police to investigate the matter thoroughly and deal with all aspects of this incident and all persons involved strictly, firmly and fairly according to our law."

Mr Teo has urged the public to stay calm and not react to various speculations, and also to let the facts be established.

Some 300 police officers were deployed to the site after the trouble broke out. The riot was quelled in under two hours after the first call reporting the incident was received at 9.23pm.

Police Commissioner Ng Joo Hee said rioters threw glass bottles, railings and other projectiles at officers.

Yet police officers exercised restraint and did not fire a single shot throughout the incident.

He said: "Wanton violence, rioting, destruction of property, fighting the police is not the Singapore way and the police will spare no effort. First to identify, and then we will find and then we will arrest and then we will prosecute everyone who was involved in yesterday's violence.

"You can take that as a guarantee from the police and as assurance to all Singaporeans and also residents who live in Little India."

In light of this incident, authorities said extra attention will be paid to Little India, dormitories as well as areas of congregation. This means more patrolling in that vicinity.

Police also said the bus driver, who is in hospital, has not been arrested and will assist in investigations of the traffic accident.

Little India Storify

- CNA/fa

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

Updated: 12/09/2013 02:25 | By Channel NewsAsia

18 injured in Little India riot

SINGAPORE: Eighteen people, including 10 Police officers and four Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel, were injured in the riot that broke out in Little India on Sunday night.

According to Police, the trouble started after a private bus hit and killed a pedestrian at around 9.20pm at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road.

A riot broke out shortly after, involving a crowd of about 400 people.

Police then activated the Special Operations Command and Gurkha Contingent to the scene.

Pictures on social media showed a bus being attacked by those in the area.

They smashed its windscreen and windows with metal bars, and what appear to be rubbish bins.

The crowd also attacked police vehicles and ambulances sent to the scene.

Eyewitness Mary Tan said: "When I came back at about 11 plus, we saw the fire and there was an explosion. There was a private bus on fire. It was quite a distant away, we can't really tell."

Police cars were flipped on their sides and attacked by the crowd.

Five vehicles - an ambulance, three police cars and a motorcycle - were also set ablaze.

The flames were later put out, leaving the burnt-out shells.

Police say the situation was brought under control within an hour.

Another eyewitness Vasko Manivasagam said: "This is an incident that could have been avoided. It could have been avoided by the transport association people.

"There is a group of transport people who are handling all the workers. Dropping them off, picking them. There was carelessness involved where the bus apparently reversed and ran over a worker."

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the riot in Little India was a very grave incident.

In a Facebook post early Monday morning, he said the government will spare no effort to identify the culprits and deal with them with the full force of the law.

Mr Lee also urged all Singaporeans to stay calm.

- CNA/fa

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

Updated: 12/09/2013 03:29 | By Channel NewsAsia

Riot in Little India is a very grave incident: PM Lee

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the riot in Little India was a very grave incident.

In a Facebook post early Monday morning, Mr Lee said several police officers were injured and vehicles were damaged or destroyed.

The situation is now under control, and he said investigations are underway.

He added that whatever events may have sparked the riot, there is no excuse for such violent, destructive and criminal behaviour.

He said the government will spare no effort to identify the culprits and deal with them with the full force of the law.

Mr Lee urged all Singaporeans to stay calm and asked the public to send the police any information, photos or videos of the incident that they may have.

He also wished the injured officers a full and speedy recovery.

- CNA/fa

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

Updated: 12/09/2013 17:24 | By Channel NewsAsia

PM Lee says Committee of Inquiry will be set up to look into Little India riot

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to convene a Committee of Inquiry to look into the riot in Little India on Sunday night.

The committee 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.

The ministry will provide more details when ready.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, Mr Lee said the riot was an isolated incident arising from the unlawful actions of an unruly mob reacting to a fatal traffic accident.

He also said the riot was a very serious incident, and there is no excuse for the violent and criminal behaviour.

The authorities are investigating the incident thoroughly and will deal with the culprits with the full force of the law.

Mr Lee offered his deepest condolences to the family of Mr Sakthivel Kumaravelu, who was killed in the traffic accident that preceded the riot.

Prime Minister Lee said: "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 urged Singaporeans to remain calm and continue with their daily lives.

He also called on them to support frontline officers in the Home Team, and share any leads they may have with the police.

He said he is glad the Home Team officers who were injured in the incident have been discharged from the hospital and are recovering well, and wished them a complete and speedy recovery.

"Let us stay united as one people as we deal with this unfortunate incident, and keep Singapore a safe and orderly country," said PM Lee.

Second Minister for Home Affairs S Iswaran announced that there will be a complete weekend ban on alcohol this weekend, in the area where the riot has taken place.

Mr Iswaran said the ban is a "temporary measure to stabilise the situation".

He was speaking to reporters after meeting retailers in Little India on Monday evening.

Channel NewsAsia will air a Talking Point Special on the riot on Monday at 8pm.

The one-hour programme will have Mr Iswaran and the police discuss the first major riot that Singapore has seen in over 40 years.

A live-stream of the talk show will also be available at the Talking Point website. - CNA/nd/gn

Heaven · Dec 9, 2013

Updated: 12/09/2013 18:05 | By Channel NewsAsia

Bus driver assisting with investigations over fatal Little India accident

SINGAPORE: Police have classified the traffic accident in Little India on Sunday night that preceded a riot as "causing death by a negligent act."

The driver of the private bus, a 55-year-old Singaporean, is assisting with investigations.

Police said the 27 people who were arrested in the ensuing riot include 24 Indian nationals, two Bangladeshi nationals and one Singapore Permanent Resident.

They are aged between 23 and 45.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, police also said the 27 police personnel who were injured in the violence have been discharged from hospital.

They included 22 police officers and five auxiliary police officers.

The officers had sought treatment at the hospital for injuries and lacerations.

Some 300 police officers, including those from the Special Operations Command and the Gurkha Contingent, had responded to the incident on Sunday night.

A fatal traffic accident involving a pedestrian had occurred at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road at about 9.20pm on Sunday night.

Shortly after, a riot broke out, involving some 400 people. They damaged vehicles, including 16 police vehicles.

The accident victim, a 33-year-old Indian national, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the private bus was sent conscious to hospital.

Police said the damaged vehicles had been removed from Race Course Road and Hampshire Road, and the affected roads were opened at 6.45am on Monday.

They said they take the incident very seriously and will spare no effort to arrest those who were involved. - CNA/nd

Riot breaks out in Little India

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