Singapore, Dec 18 – Fifty-two Indians and one Bangladeshi are to be repatriated to their home countries for their involvement in the Dec 8 riot in the ‘Little India’ enclave of the republic, police said.
They said the 53 were arrested during an island-wide operation early Monday and had been served with stern police warnings and immigration removal orders, and would be repatriated shortly.
Police said they were being held at the Admiralty West Prison, which serves as an immigration depot, while travel arrangements get finalised.
Prior to their departure, officers from the Ministry of Manpower were facilitating the final settlement of salaries with their employers, the closing of bank accounts and other administrative procedures, they said.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the 53 whom police had identified to have participated in the riot failed to disperse despite police orders to do so.
He said their actions and conduct had threatened public order, thus making their continued presence in Singapore “undesirable”.
Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee said the respective embassies had been informed of the authority’s action and they had full consular access to their nationals.
The 53 were employed by 48 different companies in Singapore.
Ng said charges for seven of the original 35 taken to court earlier would be withdrawn.
Of the seven, four had been issued with stern warnings by the police, whilst no further action would be taken against the remaining three.
By the conclusion of business today, Ng said, the total number of persons charged for the riot would be revised to 28. They are accused of playing an active role in the incident.
– Bernama
