• IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here.

    The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.

Riot breaks out in Little India

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Updated: 03/25/2014 21:56 | By Channel NewsAsia

Decision to send troops to Little India riot took too long: police commissioner


629A1DA35E6AE2E4E74262CDAE8EFA.jpg


SINGAPORE: The decision to send specially-trained troops to deal with the Little India riot on December 8 last year ought to have been faster.

Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee said the time taken before a decision was made to send the troops was unacceptably long.

He was testifying on Tuesday at the Committee of Inquiry hearing into last year's riot.

He also said that while the police performance in Little India may not have been perfect, it was far from inadequate.

It took 18 minutes before approval was given to send the Special Operations Command (SOC) -- the riot control force -- to the riot site.

This request was made at 10.45pm by ASP Jonathan Tang, the third police officer to arrive at the incident site.

Ng admitted that this was "unacceptably long".

He said: "I will readily admit the failings, our failings on that night, and the first failing is communications and sense-making.

"Our communications were non-existent; our sense-making was almost zero. That is something we really need to work on."

He also admitted that the process leading up to troops being sent was "far too cumbersome".

He said he has asked for the process to be streamlined, and this has already been done.

Previously, the police divisional commander would need to seek approval from the head of operations at the Police Headquarters before activating the SOC.

But now, the police divisional commander can activate the SOC directly.

This will serve to significantly cut down the time between the first request and formal clearance for the troops to move out.

Ng also defended his officers' decision to not fire warning shots and commended them for keeping their heads cool as their restraint meant no lives were lost unnecessarily.

He also said the police can only fire a warning shot only to put an immediate end to violence by getting a person's attention and to signal the police's intention to use lethal force.

But he said it was "highly improbable" that a warning shot would have stopped the rioting that night.

He also addressed criticism of the perceived inaction by the first responders.

He said police first responders are neither trained nor equipped to fight a riot and hence it would be "irresponsible" to ask them to.

Ng said: "The assertion and expectation that the 50 or so first responders -- who had walked into a riot and found themselves stranded and dislocated in several small groups -- who are untrained in public order tactics and armed with a few shields, and no other protection, should have somehow been able to launch a coordinated assault on the several hundred rioters facing them, and then bring the mayhem to an immediate end is speculative at best."

He added that training police patrolmen to be effective riot fighters will not only be costly but also impossible, given the level of resourcing and their current shift system.

One of the main concerns highlighted by Ng was the manpower constraints that the Singapore Police Force is facing.

Currently, the police-population ratio stands at 1:614 and he said this is exceedingly low, especially when compared with other cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong.

He also made a plea to the committee for another 1,000 police officers.

This would allow for more resources to be assigned to hotspots like Little India and Geylang, and for first responder resources to be beefed up. - CNA/xq


 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Updated: 03/26/2014 20:29 | By Channel NewsAsia

COI into Little India riot wraps up after five weeks of public hearing


5B39566B35E6EA6B8BF8E6F1943.jpg


SINGAPORE: After five weeks of inquiry and testimony from 93 witnesses, the public hearing of the Committee of Inquiry (COI) into the Little India riot has brought to light a wide range of evidence.

The riot which took place last December was the first seen in Singapore in over four decades.

It was sparked off by a fatal accident involving an Indian national, Sakthivel Kumaravelu.

Channel NewsAsia wraps up the key issues highlighted at the COI hearing.

The hearing started with dramatic CCTV footage of Kumaravelu's last moments.

The video showed Kumaravelu clearly intoxicated as he attempted to board a bus. He was later told to get off the bus by the timekeeper when he allegedly dropped his bermudas. After getting down, he stumbled after the bus and was run over by it as it was making a turn.

A forensic pathologist said it was likely that Kumaravelu would have died "instantaneously" from his severe head injuries.

The accident sparked off a riot - which saw damage to 25 emergency vehicles and injuries to 39 Home Team officers.

A key focus during the hearing was how police officers handled the situation that night.

Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee admitted it had taken too long to make the decision to send in Special Operations Command troops to control the riot.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lu Yeow Lim was also grilled over his decision to hold his ground instead of trying to disperse the rioters.

Former police commissioner Tee Tua Ba, who was a member of the COI, said this could have emboldened rioters.

Mr Tee also suggested that first responders receive relevant training and be well equipped to deal with such situations.

The issue of alcohol was also widely discussed throughout the hearing.

Many of the officers on the scene who testified said they could smell alcohol on many of the rioters that night.

A toxicology report showed that the deceased blood alcohol level at the time of his death was nearly three times the legal limit for driving.

But experts said that alcohol was not the only factor that led to the riot.

Other factors included a sense of perceived injustice among the foreign workers - especially in the way that help was rendered to the deceased.

Overcrowding and congestion, as well as unfamiliarity with the Singaporean way of life, were also raised as possible factors.

To address this problem, a designated part of Little India was proclaimed as an area in a state of danger to public order under the Public Order (Preservation) Act.

The sale and consumption of alcohol were restricted on weekends, as well as on the eves of, and during public holidays, and when large-scale events are planned.

And a new bill was tabled and passed in Parliament giving police fine-tuned powers in Little India. It will last for a year until longer-term measures can be enacted.

COI chairman Pannir Selvam said there's still much work to be done before his committee submits a report of its proceedings, findings and recommendations to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean by June. - CNA/de

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Updated: 04/01/2014 14:24 | By Channel NewsAsia

Little India riot: Man jailed 18 weeks for failing to disperse


19EC6645D7D46A3C6701362F2C180.jpg


SINGAPORE: An Indian national who failed to disperse despite police orders during the December 8 Little India riot was on Tuesday jailed 18 weeks.

Krishnan Saravanan, 31, is the sixth person to be convicted of failing to disperse, which was an amended charge.

He originally faced the rioting charge, which carries a jail term of up to seven years and caning.

The maximum penalty for failing to disperse is a two-year jail term and a fine.

Defence counsel Anil Balchandani had argued that his client deserved a lighter sentence as he was in no way causing disturbance.

The lawyer said Saravanan was trying to go home after hanging out with his friends in Little India.

He added that the accused did not gesticulate, snap photos of the incident nor swing objects at the police.

But this cut no ice with District Judge Ong Hian Sun, who imposed a sentence of 18 weeks.

Saravanan joins five other Indian nationals who were sentenced to between 15 and 18 weeks' jail for similar charges.

The cases of 19 others accused of rioting are ongoing. - CNA/nd

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Updated: 04/07/2014 23:34 | By Channel NewsAsia

Man accused of obstructing police in Little India riot claims trial


6B491EA6BB67822F1F9491BEA2C56.jpg


SINGAPORE: The trial of an Indian national, alleged to have obstructed a police officer in Little India last December when he was dispersing the unlawful assembly, has started.

27-year-old Mahalingam Thavamani is the first of 25 men originally charged with rioting to claim trial.

He is also believed to be the first to have his rioting charge amended to that of obstructing a police officer at about 11pm on 8 December 2013.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place near the junction of Belilios Road and Serangoon Road.

All 25 men were initially facing the rioting charge, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years' jail and caning.

For obstructing a police officer who was dispersing an unlawful assembly, one can be jailed up to eight years and fined.

The trial continues. - CNA/xq

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Little India Riot: Prosecution wraps up case against first man to claim trial

Published on Apr 24, 2014 1:18 PM
By Hoe Pei Shan

19EC6645D7D46A3C6701362F2C180.jpg


State prosecutors wrapped up their case on Thursday against construction worker Mahalingam Thavamani, the first among 25 men charged for their role in the Little India riot to claim trial.

Thavamani, an Indian national, is accused of obstructing police during the Dec 8 riot, when he allegedly tried to enter a restricted area along Belilios Road despite being told not to. The 27-year-old maintains he was only waiting for his younger brother who had gone missing in the night's chaos and has a medical history of fainting spells.

Taking the stand on Thursday was one of the five friends who were with the accused on Dec 8, grass cutter Balakritinan Madhu Damodran, 27. He is the prosecution's sixth and final witness.

Damodran told the court that he had not observed Mahalingam disobeying any police orders or acting in an agitated manner towards the police, as the officer who had ordered his arrest had earlier testified. The court also heard that defence counsel B. J. Lean would be making submissions in early May that there is no case to answer.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.


 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Updated: 04/30/2014 16:14 | By Channel NewsAsia

First man implicated in Little India riot pleads guilty

19EC6645D7D46A3C6701362F2C180.jpg


SINGAPORE: The first of 25 men implicated in the Little India riot last December has pleaded guilty to rioting and committing mischief.

Ramalingam Sakthivel, 33, admitted to being part of an unlawful assembly at Little India on December 8 last year between 9.30pm and 10.50pm.

During the chaos, he threw various projectiles at police officers and police vehicles, flipped a police car and hit the Singapore Civil Defence Force ambulance with a pole.

The maximum penalty for rioting is a jail term of seven years and caning.

As for the second charge, Sakthivel admitted to throwing various burning items into a bus.

For this, he is looking at a jail term of up to seven years and a fine.

The prosecution has urged the court to impose a sentence of between 30 and 36 months' jail and three to six strokes of the cane.

It made the point that the accused was "acutely aware that a serious situation had developed in Little India".

The prosecution added that Sakthivel made the "conscious choice" to join the other rioters.

But the defence argued that in the five years Sakthivel has been here, he has never gotten on the wrong side of the law.

It pointed out that it was "out of character" for the accused to be involved in the riot and that Sakthivel was remorseful.

Sakthivel will be sentenced on May 8.

So far, six have been sentenced and one of the workers is on trial.

The cases of the remaining 17 are ongoing. - CNA/nd

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

First man convicted of rioting in Little India gets 30 months' jail, 3 strokes of the cane

Published on May 8, 2014 11:17 AM

INDIAN-INJURED-080514e.jpg


Ramalingam Sakthivel, 33, the first man to plead guilty to rioting during last December's unrest in Little India was today sentenced to 30 months in jail and three strokes of the cane. -- ST FILE PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO

By Lim Yan Liang

The first man to plead guilty to rioting during last December's unrest in Little India was on Thursday sentenced to 30 months in jail and three strokes of the cane.

Ramalingam Sakthivel, 33, was also sentenced to 27 months' jail for causing mischief by fire, after the court had earlier seen CCTV evidence that showed he had attempted to set a private bus on fire. The sentences are to run concurrently, and to be backdated to his remand date of Dec 8.

The court had earlier heard that Ramalingam had pelted police officers and vehicles with projectiles, smashed the windscreen of a police vehicle with a wooden pole, and helped flip a police car. He had also attacked an ambulance with a pole while Home Team officers were inside the Singapore Civil Defence Force vehicle.

"The accused was no meek follower - he rallied others to join him and pursued a course of conduct that showed him to be unfazed of the risk to his own life and limb," said Deputy Presiding Judge Jennifer Marie, who pointed out that Ramalingam had displayed "open hostility" against law enforcement officers. "The audacious acts of violence by the accused reflected his contempt for authority, and law and order."

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Updated: 05/12/2014 14:42 | By Channel NewsAsia

Trial of man accused of obstructing policeman in Little India riot to continue

8996C8AD159AD1D144775A217653A.jpg


SINGAPORE: The first man who claimed trial over his alleged role in the Little India riot last December has failed in his bid to have his case thrown out of court.

Mahalingam Thavamani is accused of obstructing Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) N Subramaniam from dispersing the crowd near the scene of the riot.

At the close of his four-day trial in April, the 27-year-old Indian national's lawyers had made a "no case to answer" submission.

The lawyers had pointed out that DSP Subramaniam -- the officer who ordered Thavamani's arrest that night -- had admitted during the trial that he did not recognise the accused.

One of the prosecution's witnesses, Inspector Chris Lee, had also testified that there was no evidence to show the construction worker had used any force that prevented DSP Subramaniam from discharging his duties.

Inspector Lee is the senior investigating officer in charge of Thavamani's case.

In its submissions to the court, the prosecution argued that obstruction need not be of a physical nature. It added that "obstruction is made out if the officer is frustrated in his attempt to perform his duty".

The prosecution said Thavamani did not comply with DSP Subramaniam's order to leave the vicinity.

The non-compliance, which the prosecution said lasted for about 10 minutes, "did, in fact, frustrate DSP Subramaniam in his attempt to perform his duty".

The prosecution also produced a witness -- Damodran, a friend of Thavamani -- who told the court he had tried to pull Thavamani out of Belilios Road.

Damodran said Thavamani refused to leave, after telling a police officer that his "younger brother was missing".

But District Judge Salina Ishak on Monday ruled that Thavamani has a case to answer. She said there is "some evidence not inherently incredible that satisfy each element of the charge".

His trial is set to continue on May 19.

If found guilty, he faces a maximum penalty of eight years' jail and a fine. - CNA/ac/gn


 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Little India riot: Judge orders accused to give evidence


Published on May 13, 2014 8:38 AM

ST_20140513_JANPSRIOT3Y6H_314926e.jpg


Construction worker Mahalingam Thavamani is accused of obstructing a police officer on the night of the Dec 8 riot. The judge ruled that the prosecution has made its case against the Indian national. -- ST FILE PHOTO

By Hoe Pei Shan

A district judge ruled yesterday that construction worker Mahalingam Thavamani has to give evidence in his own defence in the trial over allegations that he obstructed a police officer on the night of the Dec 8 riot.

Thavamani's lawyer, Mr B.J. Lean, last week submitted that there is no case to answer and urged the court to acquit his client after the prosecution wrapped up its case with six witnesses on the stand over four days.

Mr Lean argued in written submissions that "the prosecution has failed in proving the elements of the offence" and Thavamani "had merely gone looking for his missing brother", who had a history of fainting spells.

District Judge Salina Ishak, however, ruled yesterday that the prosecution has made its case and Thavamani has to give evidence.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Updated: 05/15/2014 17:05 | By Channel NewsAsia

33 months, 3 strokes for Little India rioter

19EC6645D7D46A3C6701362F2C180.jpg


SINGAPORE: A former construction worker, the second man to plead guilty to rioting in Little India last December, was sentenced to 33 months' jail and three strokes of the cane on Thursday afternoon.

Arumugam Karthik, a 25-year-old Indian national, had thrown projectiles at three police vehicles and one fire engine, and flipped over the three police cars.

He also set fire to one of the police vehicles. The riot, the worst outbreak of violence in Singapore in more than 40 years, was sparked by a fatal bus accident involving another Indian national, Sakthivel Kumaravelu.

The maximum jail terms for rioting and mischief by fire are seven years each.

The judge sentenced Arumugam to 33 months' jail and three strokes of the cane for rioting, and 30 months' jail for mischief by fire. The sentences will run concurrently. - CNA/fa

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Updated: 05/19/2014 19:00 | By Channel NewsAsia

Man accused of obstructing policeman in Little India riot takes stand


19EC6645D7D46A3C6701362F2C180.jpg


SINGAPORE: A man accused of obstructing a policeman in carrying out his duties during the Little India riot, took the stand on day six of his trial today (19 May).

27-year-old Mahalingam Thavamani was charged with obstructing Deputy Superintendent of Police N Subramaniam from dispersing the crowd near the scene of the riot that took place on 8 December 2013.

He faces up to eight years' jail and a fine for the charge.

The court heard that police had repeatedly told Thavamani to leave the scene.

But Thavamani said he did not do so, as he could not find his younger brother and wanted to wait for him.

Defence lawyer, Lean Bastian Jerald called on another witness - Thavamani's friend, Sethupathi Balamurugan, who was with him at the time.

He testified that he, too, tried to get Thavamani to leave, but Thavamani did not do so, as he did not want to leave his brother behind.

The trial continues on Tuesday (20 May 2014), where the defence will call up two witnesses.

- CNA/xy

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Little India riot: Committee of Inquiry to submit report by end-June

Published on Jun 10, 2014 5:46 PM

AL-little-india-1006e.jpg


Police at the scene of the Little India riot on Dec 8, 2013. The Committee of Inquiry (COI) into the riot last December will submit its findings to Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean by end June. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

By Walter Sim

SINGAPORE - The Committee of Inquiry (COI) into the Little India riot last December will submit its findings to Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean by end June.

This comes after Mr Teo, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, granted the committee a two-week extension to the original June 13 deadline, for it to go through testimonies and other relevant information.

The COI Secretariat said in a statement on Tuesday that following the conclusion of the public hearing on March 26, the committee - presided over by a four-man panel chaired by former Supreme Court Judge G. Pannir Selvam - has conducted "further inquiry".

This included interviews held last Tuesday with several Indian nationals who have been convicted for their role in Singapore's worst public order disturbance in more than 40 years on December 8 last year. That night, 23 emergency vehicles were damaged and 54 responding officers injured.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.


 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Two more jailed for rioting in Little India in December last year


Published on Jun 12, 2014 12:44 PM

Little-India-riot-12062014e.jpg


The debris of the police patrol cars after a riot that broke out at Little India on 8 December 2013. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

By Hoe Pei Shan

SINGAPORE - Indian nationals Moorthy Kabildev and Mongan Anbalagan on Thursday became the third and fourth men to plead guilty to rioting in Little India on Dec 8 last year.

Kabildev, 25, initially faced two charges: one for rioting, and one for causing hurt by allegedly punching bus time-keeper Madam Wong Geck Woon. He pleaded guilty to the former, and the prosecution withdrew the other charge, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Sarah Ong.

Kabildev was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, backdated to his Dec 9 arrest date.

Anbalagan, 41, admitted to throwing concrete pieces at a bus and in the direction of police vehicles. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, backdated to his Dec 8 2013 arrest date.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

 

Hysteria

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Updated: 07/03/2014 11:23 | By Channel NewsAsia

Little India riot: Indian national gets 9 months' jail

7DA8E8F45ADE82533CEE704C81AC96.jpg


SINGAPORE: A 28-year-old Indian national has been sentenced to nine months in jail for his role in the Little India riot.

READ: How the Little India riot unfolded

Palanivel Dhasmohan - the 13th man to be sentenced over the events of Dec 8, 2013 - pleaded guilty to one charge of being part of an unlawful assembly that aimed to overawe, by show of criminal force, public servants carrying out their duties to maintain law and order in the vicinity of Race Course Road.

For being part of an unlawful assembly, he could have been jailed for two years and fined. - CNA/cy


 

Windsorlou

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Man jailed 9 months for role in Little India riot


20140701_littleindia_01.jpg


Ian Poh
The Straits Times
Sunday, Jul 06, 2014

SINGAPORE - A construction worker yesterday became the 13th person to be dealt with over the Little India riot on Dec 8.

Indian national Palanivel Dhasmohan, 28, was sentenced to nine months in jail after pleading guilty to being a member of an unlawful assembly that night.

A district court heard that Palanivel had just parted ways with a friend at Tekka Market when he walked along Race Course Road and noticed the mob of about 100 persons attacking the bus.

For about 45 minutes, Palanivel walked along Race Course Road and Chander Road, at one point picking up a beer can and throwing it onto the street.

Asking the court to impose a jail term of between nine and 12 months, Assistant Public Prosecutor Dillon Kok said that upon noticing the mob, the most natural thing for an innocent person to do would have been to leave immediately, rather than embroil himself in a dangerous or illegal situation. Instead, Mr Kok said, Palanivel had moved around the "hotbed" of the riot and lent his body to the unruly mob, which swiftly swelled to an estimated 400.

Regarding the beer can, Mr Kok said: "The danger of a beer can hitting another person or public officer on the street can easily be appreciated but in the context of the carnage which unfolded, this danger could have and did increase exponentially."

Palanivel's lawyer Favian Kang said in turn that his client had not caused any damage or injury, nor had he played an active role in the incident. He called for a term of five months instead. For being a member of an unlawful assembly, Palanivel could have been jailed for up to two years and fined.


 

Windsorlou

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Little India rioter jailed two and a half years


Published on Jul 7, 2014 12:57 PM

rh-ecsarangan08-70714e.jpg


SARANGAN KUMARAN, who was convicted on July 7, 2014, for a duration of 30 months’ imprisonment and 3 strokes of the cane. A construction worker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and three strokes of the cane on Monday for rioting and setting fire to property during the Little India riot. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

By Elena Chong

SINGAPORE - A construction worker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and three strokes of the cane on Monday for rioting and setting fire to property during the Little India riot.

The court heard how Sarangan Kumaran, 36, was in the Race Course Road area on Dec 8 last year when he saw a group of workers surrounding and hitting the bus that had knocked down an Indian man, sparking the unrest.

The Indian national joined the unlawful assembly to scold police officers and throw projectiles including rocks, large concrete slabs and beer bottles at them and nearby police cars.

Sarangan threw various burning items onto the bus. He was also photographed hurling a large rock at an overturned police car and he threw a large green plastic rubbish bin at the windscreen of a police vehicle, causing it to crack.

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Sixth man convicted of rioting in Little India gets 25 months in jail

Published on Aug 14, 2014 11:17 AM

llitleindiariot1408e.jpg


A riot broke out in Little India on Dec 8, 2013 after a fatal accident between a private bus and a person at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road. -- PHOTO: THE NEW PAPER FILE

By Hoe Pei Shan

SINGAPORE - Former construction worker Samiyappan Sellathurai, 42, on Thursday became the sixth man to be convicted of rioting in Little India last December.

He was sentenced to 25 months in prison, backdated to his arrest on Dec 15.

Described as an "instigator" in Singapore's worst public disorder in decades, the Indian national had admitted to smashing a concrete slab and throwing the pieces at civil defence personnel and public service vehicles while intoxicated during the Dec 8 riot. He also smashed a metal rack against a Little India MRT station wall in attempts to bring it down.

A total of 25 men, all Indian nationals, were charged with rioting in Little India. Five others have been similarly convicted of rioting, receiving up to 33 months' imprisonment and three strokes of the cane.

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset


Little India riot: 17th man to be dealt with given five months' jail

Published on Sep 4, 2014 12:14 PM
By Ian Poh

AL-little-india-1006e.jpg


SINGAPORE - A construction worker on Thursday became the 17th person to be dealt with over the Little India riot last Dec 8.

Indian national Selvanathan Murugesan, 28, was sentenced to five months in jail after pleading guilty to obstructing a police officer that night.

A district court heard that around 10.45pm, Selvanathan and his brother-in-law were walking towards Little India MRT station when they were stopped by a police officer along Chander Road, who told them to go to Farrer Park MRT instead.

The officer had been stationed there to block access to the cordoned-off area around Race Course Road, where police were dispersing people involved in the unlawful assembly that night.

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Little India riot: 18th man given 33 months' jail, three strokes of the cane

Published on Sep 23, 2014 2:02 PM

scdf2309e.jpg


Construction worker Prabakaran Chinnappa on Tuesday became the 18th person to be dealt with over last December's Little India riot. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

By Ian Poh

SINGAPORE - Construction worker Prabakaran Chinnappa on Tuesday became the 18th person to be dealt with over last December's Little India riot.

The Indian national, 24, was sentenced to 31 months in jail and three strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to rioting, and abetting others to set fire to an ambulance.

The court heard that for the first charge, Prabakaran had hit an empty police car repeatedly with a stick, and helped flip the vehicle onto its side. He also threw pieces of paper into the car after it had been set on fire to feed the flames, and later threw a glass bottle at police.

For the second charge, Prabakaran repeatedly hit an empty ambulance with a stick and threw a beer carton into it. He then shouted for others to "hit, hit, burn, burn" and told some rioters to pour petrol on the vehicle.

 

Heaven

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

Indian national jailed 18 weeks for obstructing cop at Little India riot


Published on Sep 30, 2014 12:21 PM
By Elena Chong

7DA8E8F45ADE82533CEE704C81AC96.jpg


SINGAPORE - An Indian national was jailed for 18 weeks on Tuesday for obstructing a police officer who was trying to disperse last year's Little India riot.

Ravi Arun Vengatesh, 25, then a quality control supervisor, is the 19th person to be convicted and sentenced over the disturbance.

He admitted obstructing Acting Inspector Thinagaran S. Krishnasamy near a lane at Chander Road at about 10.40pm on Dec 8 last year.

The court heard that Vengatesh and his brother-in-law Selvanathan Murugesan, 28, had been drinking earlier that evening and were heading to Little India MRT station when they were stopped by police.

 
Top