Lucky 53 foreign workers repatriated without going to
court? Sure or not?
SINGAPORE: Singapore police said they rounded up an additional 53
people in connection with the Little India riot on Tuesday
morning.
They comprise 52 Indian nationals and a Bangladeshi national.
At a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, police also said they
have withdrawn the charges against seven of the 35 Indian nationals
charged with rioting in Little India on December 8.
The other 28 remain charged with rioting. They are accused of
playing an active role in the incident.
Chairing the news conference, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean
said the 53 people were identified to have taken part in the riot,
and to have failed to obey police orders to disperse.
Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and
Home Affairs Minister, said the response of the 53 people makes
their continued presence in Singapore "undesirable".
Those workers will be repatriated once outstanding matters such as
the issuance of their salary and other administrative matters have
been settled.
During this period, the Indian and Bangladeshi High Commissions
have full consular access to the individuals.
Some 200 other South Asian workers who were also present at the
scene will be issued police advisories.
No further actions will be taken against them -- they will be
allowed to stay on to work as police have determined their
involvement at the riot to be "relatively passive".
As for the traffic accident that sparked the riot, police
commissioner Ng Joo Hee said investigations are ongoing.
He also said police are taking extra care with the case as it was a
trigger for the riot.
So police have also appointed an independent expert in accident
reconstruction to work on the case.
They are also expected to provide updates midweek on the temporary
alcohol ban for Little India and the suspension of private
transport services there during the weekend.
- CNA/nd
