Riot breaks out in Little India

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/18/2013 17:43 | By Channel NewsAsia

Little India alcohol ban to continue for up to 6 months

SINGAPORE: The ban on alcohol consumption in public areas of Little India will continue for up to six months, until the Committee of Inquiry makes its recommendations.

The police announced this at a media conference on Wednesday, adding the ban will be in force every weekend, public holiday and eve of public holiday.

The police said it has good reason to believe that alcohol consumption and intoxication in public areas had contributed to the riot at Little India on December 8.

But shops in the zone holding retail and wholesale licences will be able to sell alcohol, though for shorter hours.

The retail hours are from 6am to 8pm on weekends, eve of public holidays and on public holidays.

The move will affect 134 outlets such as liquor shops and convenience stores.

The police said this will stop customers from having "easy access" to alcohol during peak crowd periods.

Police said one of the considerations was finding an appropriate balance between the various competing interests of businesses and residents at Little India.

As such, feedback from various stakeholders was taken into consideration.

For establishments like restaurants, hotels, pubs and coffee shops holding public house and beer house licences, the ban on sale and consumption of alcohol will be lifted.

But consumption must be within their premises. This will affect about 240 outlets.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Raja Kumar said: "We would encourage as a best practice for the hawkers who are selling alcohol to basically not sell unopened bottles of beer. So you will know it's going to be then consumed there and then."

25 Little India bus services run by private bus operators will resume this Sunday, but at half the number of scheduled buses for a start.

This will reduce the number of people ferried to Little India from 20,000 to 10,000-12,000.

DC Kumar said: "These measures are likely to remain in place for the time being, with adjustments at the margins as we take stock of the situation after this weekend and over the rest of the month.

“Specifically for the alcohol-related measures, we will also refer to findings from the ongoing public consultation on liquor sale and consumption at public places and the COI findings and recommendations.”

The police will continue to maintain a strong presence in Little India.

The Manpower Ministry said it is encouraging the major dormitory operators to provide more recreational activities for its residents.

Some dormitories will be organising movie screenings this weekend.

It is hoped this will provide workers alternative ways to relax and enjoy themselves on their rest days.

The police also said they take a serious view of assault complaints and will investigate thoroughly.

A group of civil society volunteers had earlier called for investigations, after it said workers who were remanded had complained of police assault.

DC Kumar said: "If criminal charges are disclosed, the police will not hesitate to take criminal action against the errant officer concerned. However if the allegations are found to be false, appropriate action, in accordance with our laws, will be taken against any persons who have furnished false information to the police.” - CNA/xq

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/18/2013 13:27 | By Channel NewsAsia

Workfair S'pore says police assault allegations need investigation

SINGAPORE: Workfair Singapore said on Wednesday it is deeply dismayed that some of those remanded on charges of rioting in Little India have complained of police assault in a place where there were no cameras.

The group said the allegation is extremely grave and deserves the full investigative weight of the authorities.

Workfair Singapore is a group of civil society volunteers concerned about the rights of Singaporean and migrant workers.

It also works towards the improvement of labour conditions in Singapore.

According to customary international law, statements obtained by coercion or under duress may not be used as evidence.

The United Nations codified this in its General Assembly Declaration against Torture (1975) and Convention against Torture (1984).

Workfair Singapore said that in light of four Cabinet ministers' pronouncements on the causes of the incident prior to the trial or Committee of Inquiry, it is imperative that these allegations be investigated thoroughly and openly, so as to avoid any suspicion of impropriety.

It also called on the Law Minister to appoint an independent investigator with full access to all the investigated persons and police officers who have had contact with them, so as to facilitate an impartial and independent investigation and forestall any subsequent concerns of bias. - CNA/al

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/18/2013 17:21 | By Channel NewsAsia

2 allegedly involved in Little India riot remanded further

SINGAPORE: Two Indian nationals alleged to have participated in a riot at Little India on December 8 will be remanded for another week to help with police investigations.

The two were among the second batch of individuals charged last week in relation to the riot.

Aged 24 and 26, they are accused of attacking a bus and smashing its windscreen with a wooden stick.

The two men join the other 23, whose cases were heard on December 17.

The 23 men face a rioting charge each.

The violence broke out after 33-year-old Indian worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu died in a bus accident at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road.

Some 400 people were said to have participated in the riot, which was the first in four decades in Singapore.

Vehicles were set on fire and emergency services personnel attacked. - CNA/gn

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/18/2013 19:43 | By Channel NewsAsia

Pro bono defence counsel to be assigned to Little India riot accused

SINGAPORE: The Law Society of Singapore said its Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) will assign individual pro bono defence counsel to 26 of the 28 persons currently charged in relation to the Little India riot.

The remaining two have engaged their own counsel.

The Law Society said the lawyers are among the many who responded to the call for volunteers to represent the accused. - CNA/xq

 

[Heaven]

Little India Riot: Three suspects remanded another week for follow-up investigations

Published on Dec 19, 2013

Three more alleged rioters, including (left) Karuppaiah Chandrasekar, 31, and (right) Palanivel Dhasmohan, 27, in the Dec 8 incident in Little India were on Thursday afternoon ordered to be remanded until the following week to assist in ongoing investigations. -- ST FILE PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

By Lim Yan Liang

Three more alleged rioters in the Dec 8 incident in Little India were on Thursday afternoon ordered to be remanded until the following week to assist in ongoing investigations.

Agreeing to the prosecution's request, District Judge Lim Tse Haw cited the scale and sheer amount of evidence involved in the case for the trio to be remanded at 'A' Division. The case against them will be heard next Monday, along with 25 others who had appeared in court earlier in the week.

All Indian nationals, namely Karuppaiah Chandrasekar, 31, Palanivel Dhasmohan, 27, and Arumugam Karthik, 24, had been charged in court last week (on different days) for being part of an unlawful assembly at Little India on Dec 8.

A riot was sparked on that day after a fatal traffic accident involving construction worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu, a 33-year-old Indian national, and a private bus operated by BT&Tan.

Two of the accused Karuppaiah Chandrasekar and Palanivel Dhasmohan, were alleged to have thrown hardened concrete at police officers.

The third, Arumugam Karthik, is said to have been part of a group of at least five that had overturned and set a police car on fire, as well as thrown a dustbin, hardened concrete, bottles and a metal drain cover at the bus windscreen and windows.

When asked if they had anything to say, the three men, who were dressed in yellow polo tees, all shook their heads.

Lawyer Amarick Gill told the court that all three men have met the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) criteria, and that pro bono lawyers will be assigned to them, if they do not instead seek their own representation.

Speaking to reporters after proceedings ended, Mr Gill said that the CLAS list of volunteer lawyers have been finalised, and that the assignment of lawyers - one to each of the 26 accused who have not engaged their own counsel - will take place over the weekend, in time for the next hearing on Monday afternoon.

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/19/2013 21:32 | By Channel NewsAsia

Some Little India shops consider scaling back alcohol sales amid restrictions

SINGAPORE: Some shopkeepers at Little India said they are considering scaling back on the sale of alcohol and looking to diversify their businesses in order to make up for losses -- as the police announced recalibrated measures for the sale and consumption of alcohol in the area on Wednesday.

The police began notifying the 374 affected outlets about the revised alcohol ban on Thursday, with about 20 officers handing out notification letters.

For retail store Newarasi Trading, alcohol makes up about 80 per cent of sales on weekends.

But with the sale of alcohol now restricted from 6am to 8pm on weekends, public holidays and eve of public holidays, it said business is expected to dip.

Kailasam, owner of Newarasi Trading, said: "My customers (come in at) 8 to 10pm… So at that time we're closing, (we) cannot sell (alcohol)."

For another shop, Home of Spices, its concern is the ban on consumption of alcohol in public areas. It said most of its customers like to have their drink in public areas, and to cope, it is considering modifying its business model.

70 per cent of the shop’s sales used to be from alcohol.

P N Rajan, owner of Home of Spices, said: “(Compared to) last time, we cannot sell so much; that's why I have to reduce the liquor order. I have to go and increase the (sale) of vegetables, groceries."

As for establishments like restaurants and coffeeshops which are allowed to sell alcohol throughout -- consumption has to be within their premises.

However, some outlets Channel NewsAsia spoke to, said the enforcement of that may be a challenge.

Hawkers at Tekka Centre said it may be difficult to keep track of customers.

One hawker said: "We have to tell them that they can't drink outside. But when we're busy, how can we keep an eye on them?"

But shops said the impact goes beyond the alcohol ban.

Some said that business is suffering because the crowd has stayed away after the riot took place on December 8.

Nagarajan, owner of Village Curry Authentic India Food, said: "After 8pm, the area is very quiet. We have to shift somewhere, we're thinking about that."

As for another food outlet, Nandini’s Restaurant, which has converted an alley into a dining area, it said its customers will no longer be able to drink there because the area is not considered part of its premises.

The revised measures will be in place for at least six months until the Committee of Inquiry looking into the riot has made its recommendations. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/20/2013 18:10 | By Channel NewsAsia

Little India riot: Four more to be deported, 53 repatriated

SINGAPORE: Four more Indian nationals are expected to be deported on Friday night because of their involvement in the Little India riot.

The four are among a group of seven previously charged in court, but subsequently had their charges withdrawn.

Police said they had full access to consular assistance.

A previous group of 53 workers slated for repatriation have all been sent back home.

With the latest group to be sent home, police said the repatriation operation arising from investigations into the riot will more or less come to an end.

This brings the total number of those being repatriated as a consequence of their involvement in the December 8 riot at Little India, to 57.

Of the 57, the Committee of Inquiry looking into the incident has spoken to 20 of them.

The last four to be repatriated received stern police warnings along with immigration removal orders, and will not be allowed to enter Singapore again.

Stern warnings are given to those who may have committed offences in lieu of prosecution.

This is normally done on a case-by-case basis, where, for example, there may not be enough evidence to convict someone.

Ng Joo Hee, commissioner of police, Singapore Police Force, said: "It is not uncommon that police give warnings. But because the persons who received the warnings, in this case, are foreigners…So they are then deemed as undesirable immigrants in our country. And then there are powers that the state has, to proclaim someone a prohibited immigrant and to remove him from the country."

Police stressed that there is no need for a trial for those deemed “undesirable”, since no criminal charges are being brought before them in court.

Authorities decide whether to charge, deport or issue warnings and advisories based on the degree of offences committed based on evidence.

In the three years leading to 2013, an average of 13,000 foreigners have been repatriated annually under the Immigration Act.

While four of the seven foreign workers involved in the riot who had charges against them dropped will be deported, the other three will be given police advisories which will be served on December 22.

Some 200 workers in total will get the advisories reminding them to comply with Singapore laws, with their employers as witnesses, and no further action will be taken against them.

The workers come from over 150 companies spanning industries like the construction, trade and marine sectors.

Meanwhile, plans are underway to keep foreign workers occupied within their dormitories.

Kevin Teoh, director of Foreign Manpower Management Division at the Ministry of Manpower, said: "Not all activities are expensive. So, I mean, you could have a cricket game out there. Drinks could be provided. It is not expensive, so these are things that we can consider."

The Ministry of Manpower is working with dormitories to bring forward organised activities for foreign workers on their calendars. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Behave or be sent back

December 21, 2013 - 1:00am

By: Ng Jun Sen

TNP PHOTO: Ng Jun Sen

Police action against the Dec 8 Little India rioters were not limited to those who threw rocks and attacked police officers and medical personnel.

Around 200 others, whose involvement that night was described by police as “passive and incidental”, will be given police advisories to remind them to behave themselves.

On Sunday, they will be issued with formal police advisories at the Police Cantonment Complex.

Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee (above) answers questions on the police advisories and whether the repatriated were given due process.

Read the full report in The New Paper on Saturday (Dec 21).

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/23/2013 15:52 | By Channel NewsAsia

Little India riot: Charges against 3 men withdrawn

SINGAPORE: Another three Indian nationals alleged to have participated in the Little India riot on December 8 had their charges withdrawn on Monday.

This brings the total number of alleged rioters who had their charges dropped to 10.

Seven alleged participants were released on December 17 after the prosecution dropped their charges.

With Monday’s development, the remaining 25 Indian nationals will have their cases mentioned on Friday.

During the hour-long hearing, the prosecution sought for bail not to be granted, citing several reasons.

Prosecutor John Lu said the 25 men face serious charges which carry severe punishments if they were to be convicted.

He pointed out the accused pose a flight risk as they have no roots in Singapore.

Mr Lu also argued there is a risk that they will re-offend if they were to be released on bail.

The prosecution said the situation is "volatile" as it is, and if the accused were to be allowed bail, they might spark another unrest.

But District Judge Lim Tse Haw dismissed the argument as irrelevant.

Meanwhile, the defence lawyers -- who are volunteers -- argued the prosecution had conceded that they did not have "credible grounds" and evidence to show that granting the accused bail would cause unrest.

The defence said bail is usually not granted in special circumstances, so the court should not depart from the usual practice in treating the foreign workers.

This was a sentiment shared by Judge Lim, who said the purpose of setting bail is to ensure the accused attend court.

He ordered bail to be set at S$20,000 for each of the accused and ordered them to report to the authorities every week.

The judge also told the 25 men to not enter the area demarcated by the police for the purpose of alcohol sales ban.

The prosecution has indicated it will file a criminal motion in the High Court on the issue of bail. - CNA/fa/gn

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/27/2013 16:22 | By Channel NewsAsia

New traffic arrangements for Little India on Sundays

SINGAPORE: New traffic arrangements will be implemented in Little India on Sundays starting Dec 29.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said this is to facilitate the operations of bus services in the area.

The move comes after a fatal accident involving a private bus, sparking off a riot on December 8.

Authorities had halved the number of scheduled buses ferrying foreign workers to Little India last Sunday.

And more measures are in store to help ease the traffic situation there.

Hampshire Road will be closed from 2pm to 930pm on Sundays, instead of 6pm to 11pm previously.

Vehicles will also not be allowed to turn right from Buffalo Road into Race Course Road from 4pm to 9.30pm, when bus volume along Race Course Road is high.

On Sundays, this stretch along Hampshire Road is a designated passenger point for bus services to pick up and drop off foreign workers. And the LTA says these measures are necessary to ensure the road is safe for such activities.

Bus operators welcomed the initiatives, adding that it will make operations easier, safer and more orderly.

But response from some residents and motorists were mixed.

"Used to be crowded, but now the crowd has lessened. I think with these new measures there will be more control," said R E Malarvannan.

"I think it's an inconvenience for motorists," commented Fahmi Chupari.

Some businesses said they are not too concerned about the new measures.

"I don't think it will affect our business because as it is difficult to get parking along Race Course Road. So I'm sure people will find somewhere else. If they really like our food, parking or traffic should not affect our customers," said Bashan Ghouse, manager of Sakunthala's.

Richerdleo Thangrajan, manager of Komala Vilas, said diners not only come to the restaurant by cars, but also by MRTs.

LTA says it will monitor the traffic situation and make appropriate adjustments, if needed. - CNA/ec

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/27/2013 17:22 | By Channel NewsAsia

Four men accused of participating in Little India riot face additional charges

SINGAPORE: Four of the 25 men accused of participating in the riot in Little India on December 8 now face between one and two additional charges.

The four Indian nationals are 24-year-old Arumugam Karthik, 23-year-old Chinnappa Prabakaran, 29-year-old Bose Prabakar and 24-year-old Moorthy Kabildev.

On Friday afternoon, the prosecution tendered the additional charges in court.

Arumugam faces an additional charge of rioting where he was said to have flipped over a police car.

He is also accused of setting a police vehicle on fire.

Chinnappa is alleged to be one of the men who set fire to the ambulance.

Bose now faces a fresh charge of assaulting a police officer.

Moorthy is accused of punching 38-year-old Madam Wong Geck Woon on board a bus.

Madam Wong is the timekeeper who was injured in the riot.

The violence broke out after a fatal bus accident involving 33-year-old Indian national Sakthivel Kumaravelu at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road.

Thirty-five men were initially charged in court for their involvement in the Little India riot, but 10 of them were later released after the prosecution dropped their charges.

The court also heard that one of the accused, 32-year-old Chinnappa Vijayaragunatha Poopathi, indicated through his lawyer that he may plead guilty.

His case will be mentioned on January 10.

Two of the 25 men are out on bail.

One of them is 28-year-old Arun Kaliamurthy, who is represented by lawyer M Ravi.

Mr Ravi told the court his client is a tourist on a social visit pass.

He asked the court to make an order for his client to report to the immigration authorities on a weekly basis instead of the current daily basis.

But the district judge said he is not able to make such an order.

This case will be heard on December 30.

The other person out on bail is 22-year-old Chinnathambi Malesan.

Bail is set at S$20,000.

The cases of the 24 accused will be mentioned again during the pre-trial conferences on January 29. - CNA/ms

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/30/2013 16:44 | By Channel NewsAsia

Alleged Little India rioter to seek judicial review on ICA conditions

SINGAPORE: One of the 25 men charged with rioting at Little India on December 8 intends to seek judicial review on the conditions that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has imposed on him.

Twenty-eight-year-old Arun Kaliamurthy is currently out on bail of S$20,000.

But as part of the bail conditions that ICA has imposed, Arun has to report to the immigration authorities daily to get his special pass.

On Monday, his lawyer M Ravi argued that his client, who is a tourist in Singapore, has had his social visit pass cancelled while the others accused in the same case had been allowed their work permits.

Mr Ravi said Arun has been unfairly treated and urged the court to allow his client to report to the ICA on a weekly basis instead.

The court noted that the conditions have been set by the ICA and it has no jurisdiction on this.

Thus, Mr Ravi said he will seek a judicial review in the High Court on the matter.

Meanwhile, the case has been fixed for a pre-trial conference on January 29. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 01/24/2014 16:39 | By Channel NewsAsia

Alleged Little India rioter expected to plead guilty

SINGAPORE: A 32-year-old Indian national is expected to be the first among 25 men allegedly involved in the Little India riot to plead guilty.

Chinnappa Vijayaragunatha Poopathi will likely plead guilty to a reduced charge of being involved in an assembly of at least five people despite being ordered to disperse.

He was originally charged with rioting -- which carries a jail term of up to seven years and caning.

Chinnappa, who is represented by lawyer Sunil Sudheesan, will be back in court on February 7 for his plea to be taken.

If convicted, he faces a jail term of up to two years, and a fine. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 02/07/2014 20:00 | By Channel NewsAsia

Little India riot: Construction worker pleads guilty to amended charge

SINGAPORE: A construction worker has become the first of 25 men accused of taking part in the Little India riot last December to plead guilty.

Chinnappa Vijayaragunatha Poopathi, 32, pleaded guilty on Friday to an amended charge of failing to disperse.

He will be sentenced on Monday and faces a jail term of up to two years and a fine.

Chinnappa, an Indian national, was initially charged with rioting, which carries a maximum penalty of up to seven years' jail and caning.

The charge was amended after the Attorney-General's Chambers carefully considered factors that included the extent of Chinnappa's involvement in the riot.

The court heard that on December 8, Chinnappa and a friend had bought beer from a provision shop in Little India, consumed it, and later proceeded to the void deck of an HDB block in Chander Road to have a chat.

Around 11pm, the pair decided to go to a food court called Kodai Canteen, located at the junction of Kerbau Road and Chander Road.

As they were walking along Chander Road -- near where the riot first broke out -- they saw people running away from the direction of the Kodai Canteen.

They also heard from some of those people that police had advised them not to head in the direction of Kodai Canteen, and to leave the area completely.

Chinnappa and his friend ignored this and continued moving towards the canteen, despite seeing Police Tactical troops from the Special Operations Command (SOC), armed with batons and shields, along Chander Road and commanding people to disperse.

When Chinnappa and his friend got to Kodai Canteen, they joined an assembly of about 10 people there.

"The situation was still volatile and tense. Kodai Canteen was within close proximity of Belilios Lane, where SOC troops were still being pelted with various objects," said Deputy Public Prosecutor Sellakumaran.

Chinnappa and his friend also shouted at canteen employees, asking that they re-open the shop so they could buy things, which further heightened tensions, added the prosecutor.

In pressing for a deterrent sentence of between four and six months' jail, Deputy Public Prosecutor Sellakumaran pointed out that by joining the assembly despite being ordered to disperse, Chinnappa's actions had potentially further fuelled public disorder and disturbance at the scene.

The assembly of persons at the area also impeded efforts by police to quell the riot, and required police intervention.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sellakumaran also pointed out that Chinnappa's actions must be viewed against the backdrop of an incident that was described in Parliament as "the worst public order disturbance in Singapore in more than four decades."

"The magnitude of the riot and the many videos of the riot that were uploaded onto the internet led to substantial media coverage both locally and globally, and had the potential to severely undermine Singapore's hard-earned status as a safe and law-abiding society," he added.

A total of 24 emergency vehicles were damaged during the riot, including five which were set on fire.

Forty-three enforcement officers were also injured -- some were pelted with items such as stones, beer bottles, and concrete slabs.

Defence counsel Sunil Sudheesan sought a jail term of three months, saying Chinnappa's culpability fell at the lowest end of the sentencing scale.

He said this was because his client did not actively participate in inflicting violence nor damaging property.

He added that Chinnappa was unaware of the extent of the riot that was taking place at the time, as he was not at the area where it first broke out. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 02/10/2014 15:47 | By Channel NewsAsia

Little India riot: 15 weeks' jail for first man to plead guilty

SINGAPORE: A construction worker was sentenced to 15 weeks' jail on Monday for his involvement in the Little India riot last December.

Chinnappa Vijayaragunatha Poopathi, a 32-year-old Indian national, is the first of 25 men accused of taking part in the riot to plead guilty and be sentenced by the courts.

Initially charged with rioting, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years and caning, he later pleaded guilty to an amended charge, under Section 151 of the Penal Code, of failing to disperse.

The charge under Section 151 carries a maximum penalty of two years' jail and a fine.

The court had heard that Chinnappa and another friend joined an assembly of people who gathered at an area close to where the riot was taking place despite repeated orders from police officers to disperse.

In handing down the sentence, Deputy Chief District Judge Jennifer Marie called Chinnappa's actions "defiant and brazen".

She added that the courts must send a strong signal in sentencing -- that unruly and defiant conduct will not be tolerated and punishment for this will be "certain and unrelenting".

"An offence of this nature, viewed in the context of efforts of the Special Operations Command troops to quell the mayhem and prevent further outbreaks of disorderly behaviour, offends the sensibilities of the general public with acceptable norms of civil behaviour and good order," the judge said.

She noted that while a general deterrent sentence is needed, she acknowledged that Chinnappa had not been in the immediate vicinity where the riot broke out nor had he been involved in any egregious acts of violence or damaged any property.

He also had not impeded emergency rescue operations or assistance rendered to the injured.

Sunil Sudheesan, defence counsel for Chinnappa, said: "I think the sentence overall is fair. He feels remorse for what he has done. I don't think he knew the extent of what was going on at that point of time because he wasn't at the Race Course Road area."

The judge ordered Chinnapa's sentence to take effect from December 8 -- the day of his arrest.

He will be repatriated after his release.

The riot -- Singapore's first in more than 40 years -- was believed to have been triggered by the death of a foreign worker.

It involved some 400 foreign nationals, and left 43 enforcement officers injured, as well as 24 emergency vehicles damaged.

The judge also noted in her brief oral grounds of decision that the magnitude of the incident brings home starkly how Singapore's reputation as a safe and law-abiding nation can be undermined by such an unruly mob.

Pointing out that law and public order form the bedrock upon which peace and progress in Singapore are founded, she added: "The courts must remain constantly vigilant in ensuring that all offences that jeopardise such a foundation be firmly and resolutely dealt with." - CNA/ac/de/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 02/11/2014 13:32 | By Channel NewsAsia

"No offence was committed" by driver in accident that sparked off Little India riot

SINGAPORE: The bus driver involved in the fatal accident that sparked off the December 8 riot at Little India last year will not be charged.

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said in a statement on Tuesday that it has determined that the driver Lee Kim Huat (alias Lim Hai Tiong) did not commit any offence, after having reviewed the evidence in the investigation papers.

The papers were submitted by the Traffic Police in January.

The evidence included relevant video footage of the incident, the independent expert report, statements by witnesses, and autopsy and toxicology reports.

Video footage from the four cameras mounted on the driver's bus, capturing comprehensive views of the vicinity of the bus' external surroundings as well as its interior, was seized on December 8.

The bus at the centre of the incident had been ferrying workers back to their dormitories on the evening of the riot.

The bus driver was arrested a day after the riot and released on bail, pending investigations into whether he had committed any offence in the accident that led to the death of Indian national Sakthivel Kumaravelu.

The AGC said that shortly before the fatal accident, an intoxicated Mr Kumaravelu was asked to get off the bus for his misbehaviour.

He was later found to be moderately to severely intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 217mg/100ml of blood, close to three times the legal limit for driving.

He got off the bus and walked unsteadily towards Race Course Road.

The AGC said video footage revealed that Mr Kumaravelu had started running after the bus, shortly after the bus had moved off.

He had placed his right palm against the left side of the moving bus, with his left hand holding his shorts and umbrella.

The AGC said Mr Kumaravelu's act of placing his hand on the moving bus, exacerbated by his intoxicated state, caused him to lose his balance and fall into the path of the moving bus.

During the entire incident, the bus was moving at a very slow speed of about 5.6 to 5.9km/hour.

At the point of the accident, the driver was filtering out of Tekka Lane into Race Course Road.

He was watching out for oncoming traffic from his right side and could not be expected to foresee Mr Kumaravelu's movements.

The period between the contact the deceased made with the bus and his fall spanned about four seconds.

No action will be taken against the driver, now that investigations are completed.

He is, however, a likely witness in the February 19 inquiry commissioned to look into the incident.

When asked, the driver's daughter Ms Lee said the family now feels a bit more at ease, but she added that a life was still lost. - CNA/ac/nd

 

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Updated: 02/14/2014 13:56 | By Channel NewsAsia

Little India riot: At least 70 witnesses to be called up for COI hearing

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SINGAPORE: The public hearing for the Committee of Inquiry (COI) on the December 8 Little India riot will start on February 19 at 10 am at the Subordinate Courts, said the Home Affairs Ministry in a statement on Friday.

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) will be leading the evidence at the hearing, which is expected to span at least four weeks.

Appointed investigators from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) have interviewed close to 300 witnesses, and the bureau intends to call at least 70 of them to give oral evidence at the public hearing.

The COI Secretariat said the team from CNB was appointed, as CNB is a neutral party to the incident and the investigators have the expertise and experience to aid in investigation matters pertaining to the COI.

Some of the key eyewitnesses include the bus driver and the timekeeper of the bus involved in the fatal accident.

The COI had earlier invited 57 foreign workers who were repatriated to be interviewed on a voluntary basis before departing Singapore.

Of these, 20 had stepped forward to be interviewed.

At the hearing, the COI will also call a number of foreign workers who have been issued police advisories, to give evidence.

The COI Secretariat has also received 22 emails and letters from various persons and non-governmental organisations interested in the proceedings.

It will take these submissions into consideration for the purposes of the inquiry, based on the Terms of Reference of the COI.

The committee also said it has visited the scene of the riot.

It has also spoken to foreign workers including those in dormitories in Tagore Lane, Avery Lodge and Penjuru Dormitory to get their views on matters relating to the riot, including the living conditions of foreign workers in Singapore.

The first week of the hearing will focus on establishing how the riot unfolded and how the response forces managed the incident.

Upon conclusion of the public hearing, the COI will consider the evidence presented and submit a report of its proceedings, findings and recommendations to the Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is the appointing authority of the COI. - CNA/ac/nd

 

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Updated: 02/17/2014 16:22 | By Channel NewsAsia

Second man jailed over involvement in Little India riot

SINGAPORE: A 23-year-old Indian national has been sentenced to 15 weeks' jail for failing to disperse when the police ordered him to do so during the Little India riot on 8 December last year.

Construction worker Singaravelu Vignesh was originally accused of rioting but he pleaded guilty on Monday to an amended charge of "continuing in an assembly after it had been ordered to disperse".

In sentencing, Deputy Chief District Judge S Jennifer Marie said Singaravelu's circumstance was no different from that of his fellow worker, Chinnappa Vijayaragunatha Poopathi.

Chinnappa Vijayaragunatha Poopathi was the first of 25 Indian nationals originally accused of rioting to be sentenced.

He was sentenced to 15 weeks' jail.

Singaravelu is the second man to be sentenced.

The judge ordered Singaravelu to be jailed for 15 weeks with effect from his arrest date on 8 December.

He could have been jailed for up to two years and fined for failing to disperse.

The maximum penalty for rioting is a seven-year jail term and caning. - CNA/xq

 

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Updated: 02/18/2014 16:54 | By Channel NewsAsia

Bus driver, timekeeper to testify at Little India riot public inquiry

SINGAPORE: The public hearing for the Committee of Inquiry (COI) on the Little India riot starts on February 19 and Channel NewsAsia understands that some key eyewitnesses will be providing evidence.

They include the bus driver and the timekeeper of the bus involved in the accident that led to the death of Indian national Sakthivel Kumaravelu.

The driver is 55-year-old Mr Lee Kim Huat and the timekeeper is 38-year-old Madam Wong Geck Woon, who told the intoxicated Mr Sakthivel to get off the bus after he dropped his shorts.

The public hearing is expected to last some four weeks.

Among the COI's terms of reference is to establish the circumstances that led to the riot and consider whether current measures to manage such incidents, where foreign workers congregate, are adequate.

The committee says its job is not to determine civil or criminal liability.

However, this will not stop it from making recommendations based on what investigations uncover.

- CNA/fa

 

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Updated: 02/19/2014 10:36 | By Channel NewsAsia

Committee of Inquiry into Little India riot begins

SINGAPORE: The Committee of Inquiry hearing into the Little India riot started on Wednesday morning with Senior State Counsel David Khoo giving a rundown of the evidence that will be presented in the coming weeks.

Twitter - Little India Riot

In his opening statement, Mr Khoo said that evidence that establishes how the riot unfolded and how the authorities managed the incident will be shown in the first three weeks.

Witnesses will include those who were at the fatal traffic accident involving 33-year-old Indian national Sakthivel Kumaravelu, as well as first responders from the Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force.

The fourth to sixth week of the inquiry will see evidence establishing the facts and circumstances that led to the riot.

"Many have attributed the incident to the ill-effects of alcohol and others to the mistreatment of workers, such as salary and employment issues.

"I would add it is entirely possible that the incident could be attributable of a combination of factors rather than a single factor," Mr Khoo said, noting that the focus must be on "fact-finding".

"This remains an issue for the Committee's deliberation and determination," he added.

The evidence of shopkeepers, foreign workers, and residents in Little India will assist in determining if alcohol was a factor that contributed to the incident, while the Land Transport Authority and representatives of various transport companies will give evidence to explore the issue of overcrowding in Little India and problems that arose from it.

Others who will give evidence include an expert in the field of behavioral science, non-governmental organisations such as Maruah and Transient Workers Count Too, as well as foreign workers.

"In addressing the many theories propagated by foreign media alleging that the deceased had been manhandled or thrust off the bus, I would only say, that we shall, in the course of this inquiry, adduce evidence showing these allegations to be unfounded," said Mr Khoo.

Video footage from a camera in the bus was played during the reading of the opening statement, and it showed an intoxicated Sakthivel being asked to alight from the bus and him doing so voluntarily.

Video footage from a camera located on the left wing mirror of the bus was also shown, which captured Sakthivel walking and running alongside the bus as it departs and moves along Tekka Lane.

He was then run over by the bus after falling in front of the left wheel of the bus.

Other footage which captured the situation escalating -- when the bus’s door and windows were smashed and projectiles were hurled -- was also shown.

Witnesses expected to give evidence later on Wednesday include the bus's timekeeper, a forensic scientist and a pathologist.

The members of the COI are former Supreme Court judge G Pannir Selvam, former Police Commissioner Tee Tua Ba, former National Trades Union Congress President John De Payva, and West Coast Citizens' Consultative Committee Chairman Andrew Chua Thiam Chwee.

The COI's terms of reference are to establish the circumstances that led to the riot and consider whether current measures to manage such incidents -- where foreign workers congregate -- are adequate.

The committee said its job is not to determine civil or criminal liability, but it can submit a report of the proceedings, its findings and recommendations, to the Minister for Home Affairs. - CNA/nd