Singapore: Twenty-seven South Asian workers, including 24 Indians, were arrested today for alleged rioting in Singapore's worst outbreak of violence in over 40 years even as the Prime Minister warned to use “full force of the law” against trouble-makers.
Besides the Indians, two Bangladeshis and one Singapore permanent resident, whose origin was not known, were also arrested for last night's rioting following a road accident that killed an Indian worker.
At least 18 people, including 10 policemen, were injured when some 400 people attacked the police and damaged 16 vehicles in an Indian district here, police said.
The trouble started after a private bus fatally knocked down an Indian pedestrian, 33-year-old Sakthivel Kuaravelu, around 9:20pm at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road in Little India, a precinct of Indian-origin businesses, eateries and pubs where most of the South Asian workers take their Sunday break, they said.
All the 27 arrested are in the age-group of 23-45 and face charges under “rioting with dangerous weapons”.
The Indian High Commission in Singapore said it was calling on all parties to remain calm following the riot.
“We understand the situation is under control and Singapore authorities have appealed for maintaining calm by all sections of society. We hope all parties will maintain calm,” said the High Commission in a statement.
