27 arrested over riot in Little India
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.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
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.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
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