Riots Break Out In Little India Singapore: Immigrants Against Police In Today's History, 8 December 2013

Little India Singapore (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - On December 8, 2013, there was a fatal traffic accident involving a bus and an Indian migrant worker, Sakthivel Kumaravelu. The private bus transports the migrant workers back to the hostel.

The accident occurred at 9:20 p.m. local time at the intersection between Race Course Road and Hampshire Road, Little India, Singapore. Sakthivel Kumaravelu, who was a construction worker, died.

Citing Mothership, the accident sparked outrage among people in Little India. Many of them in a drunken state immediately formed a crowd.

Many people started throwing various items at law enforcement officers. And within an hour, 29 vehicles, most of which belonged to the police, were destroyed and burned by the crowd.

Four hundred migrant workers were involved in the riots. Meanwhile, 159 police officers were dispatched to the scene. A total of 54 police officers and eight civilians were injured.

More than two hours later the police arrested 27 rioters. Most of the crowd had dispersed. High-visibility patrols continued in the area, preventing the rioters from regrouping.

Singapore does rely on migrant workers to fill job vacancies in low-paying sectors such as construction. Most are youths from India and Bangladesh, and live in hostels while working and sending money home.

According to the Singapore Commission of Inquiry report, the masses misunderstood the first responders. The crowd thought emergency services and police officers would protect bus driver Lee Kim Huat and bus assistant Wong Geck Woon.

An ambulance on site (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The crowd, mostly Indian migrant workers, felt a desire for 'street justice'. They choose to take the law into their own hands when they feel that the authorities cannot impose a sentence.

Singapore Police Commissioner at the time, Ng Joo Hee said the riots were the first in Singapore in more than 30 years. He condemned the riots as "intolerable violence" and "Not the Singaporean way."

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said whatever events might trigger riots, there was no reason for such violent, destructive and criminal behavior to occur. Lee Hsien Long at the time said he would identify the perpetrators of the riots.

"We will not waste efforts to identify the perpetrators and deal with them with the full force of the law," he said in a statement.

Citing the BBC, India's High Commission said in a statement it was in constant contact with Singaporean authorities to ascertain the facts of the incident. The Indian side also said it would provide all the assistance to the affected Indian nationals.

"We hope all parties remain calm," he added.

Little India changes after the riots

Little India in Singapore (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Little India is a popular area of South Asian restaurants and shops. The area became a destination for many workers to gather during holidays.

The Singapore Investigative Committee's report after the riots led to the development of several actions. Little India underwent various changes to maintain order.

The first measure is to limit the sale and consumption of alcohol. Little India has become a Liquor Control Zone, meaning that buying and consuming alcohol between 10pm and 7am is prohibited.

Additionally alcohol retailers in the area cannot sell alcohol from 7pm on Saturday evenings to 7am on Monday mornings, also on public holidays. In addition, bus services must leave Little India before 9pm, limiting the amount of time migrant workers can spend in the area.

After the riots, the number of security cameras and street lights installed throughout Little India was also increased. In addition, the number of police officers is increased in the area, especially on weekends.

Migrant workers are often asked to show their identity to the police who are on patrol at all times. To prevent large gatherings and public disturbances, migrant workers are increasingly prohibited from gathering in designated areas.

*Read other information about WORLD HISTORY or read other interesting articles from Putri Ainur Islam.

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