2013 Little India riot

2013 civil unrest in Singapore January 2018 January 2019 2013 Little India riot Mercedes-Benz ambulance damaged during the 2013 Little India riots, Singapore - 20131209.jpg An ambulance damaged during the riot, photographed on 9 December 2013 yes 2013 12 8 Road junction of Race Course Road and Tekka Lane Traffic accident Rioting Singapore Police Force Special Operations Command 300~ riotershttp://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/riot-28-face-charges-53-be-deported-20131218 Riot: 28 face charges, 53 to be deported The Straits Times 18 December 2013 21 December 2013 Feng Zengkun Au-yong Rachel https://web.archive.org/web/20131220130331/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/riot-28-face-charges-53-be-deported-20131218 20 December 2013 live dmy-all Teo Chee Hean S. Iswaran Ng Joo Hee Hoong Wee Teck 62 40 33 The Little India riot took place in the Singaporean subzone of Little India on 8 December 2013 at SST 21:21, after a fatal traffic accident at the road junction of Race Course Road and Tekka Lane caused the death of 33-year-old Indian construction worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu. Angry mobs of migrant workers – largely composed of Indian nationals – attacked the bus involved and emergency vehicles that arrived shortly after. There were around 300 rioters involved in the incident, which lasted for about two hours. This was the second riot in post-independence Singapore, and the first in 44 years since the 1969 race riots. On 13 December, deputy prime minister Teo Chee Hean launched a Committee of Inquiry (COI) into the incident, which was completed on 27 June 2014. The COI wrote that the main cause of the riot was Kumaravelu's death and was fuelled by misconceptions and intoxication among the rioters. The riot led to stricter laws and higher penalties on alcohol consumption and sales – culminating in the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act in 2015 – along with increased surveillance and new facilities for migrant workers in Little India. Twenty-five rioters were sentenced for their involvement, while fifty-three were deported. An additional 200 workers were warned. The riot led to discussion on the treatment and integration of migrant workers in Singapore. Background Since its independence in 1965, Singapore only experienced one other riot prior to this incident – the 1969 race riots – which saw four dead and eighty wounded,Lee Ooi Phua Wong Chan Ng 2015 677 but is nowadays generally considered safe, with such incidents of violence being described as "rare" in modern times. Singapore is known for frequently utilising migrant workers in sectors such as construction. The subzone of Little India is a common and popular congregation area for South Asian migrant workers hailing from countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. 8 December 2013 Riot breaks out in Singapore's Little India neighbourhood https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/08/riot-singapore-little-india-bangladeshi-killed-bus live https://web.archive.org/web/20141125055445/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/08/riot-singapore-little-india-bangladeshi-killed-bus 25 November 2014 27 March 2026 The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077Nghiem Ashleigh Singapore bus death triggers riot https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25294918 9 December 2013 9 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131208214911/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25294918 8 December 2013 live BBC News9 December 2013 Rare riot shuts down Singapore's Little India district The Australian https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/world/rare-riot-shuts-down-singapores-little-india-district/news-story/335756be83de1969bbe67de2b5c38a7b live 9 December 2013 subscription https://web.archive.org/web/20140507100854/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/rare-riot-shuts-down-singapores-little-india-district/story-e6frg6so-1226778385511 7 May 2014 South Asian workers typically eat, socialise, and run errands in Little India, and usually do so on Sundays, their most common off-day. Transportation between Little India and their dormitories was offered by the Little India Bus Service, which was run by the Land Transport Authority with consultation from Singapore Contractors Association Limited; the buses were provided by the Singapore School Transport Association and the Singapore School & Private Hire Bus Owners’ Association.Ministry of Home Affairs 2014 6, 17 Incident Death of Sakthivel Kumaravelu thumb|The riot took place in Singapore's Little India (pictured). On 8 December 2013, a Sunday, 33-year-old construction worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu was in Little India in the evening. He was from the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu and lived in a dormitory in Jalan Papan, Jurong. He had first travelled to Singapore in 2007 to work as a welder, having sought work abroad because of his family's financial hardship. He was employed with the scaffolding company Heng Hup Soon, which he had worked at for two years.ta:சிங்கப்பூர் பேருந்து விபத்து: உயிரிழந்த புதுக்கோட்டை இளைஞரின் தாய் கதறல் Singapore bus accident: lament of the mother of the deceased Pudukottai youth https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/singapore-victim-was-from-pudukottai-189273.html Oneindia 11 December 2013 ta 8 June 2026 Akilan Mayura https://web.archive.org/web/20260804072022/https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/singapore-victim-was-from-pudukottai-189273.html 4 August 2026 liveSim Walter 9 December 2013 Little India Riot: Victim of road traffic accident that sparked off mob identified http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/little-india-riot-victim-road-traffic-accident-sparked-mob-identified- dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140228093042/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/little-india-riot-victim-road-traffic-accident-sparked-mob-identified- 28 February 2014 28 March 2026 The Straits Times Kumaravelu went to board a private bus at Tekka Lane to return to Jalan Papan; the bus was run by the driver, Lee Kim Huat,Also known by the alias Lim Hai Tiong.Lim Joyce 6 December 2014 Little India Riot: One Year Later - Bus driver: 'It wasn't my fault. I have moved on.' https://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/little-india-riot-one-year-later-bus-driver-it-wasnt-my- dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150502111811/https://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/little-india-riot-one-year-later-bus-driver-it-wasnt-my- 2 May 2015 30 March 2026 The Straits Times and its timekeeper, Wong Geck Woon. He appeared visibly drunk and skipped the queue to board, prompting complaints by other workers to Wong about Kumaravelu. As they were not allowed to transport drunk passengers, Wong asked a worker to tell him to leave, but Kumaravelu did not listen, and Wong told him to leave after she saw him with his pants down.Yeo Andre Dzeviatau Anton Chua Charlene Tan Charlotte Lim Zu Ning Pereira Nikita 3 December 2023 The night chaos broke out: Little India riot, 10 years on https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2023/12/little-india-riot-10-years/index.html?shell live https://web.archive.org/web/20231208073520/https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2023/12/little-india-riot-10-years/index.html?shell 8 December 2023 27 March 2026 The Straits Times Interactive graphichttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/victim-of-little-india/916880.html Victim of Little India accident was causing trouble on bus: police Kotwani 9 December 2013 Channel NewsAsia 10 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131212082753/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/victim-of-little-india/916880.html 12 December 2013 dead Monica He later alighted and three more passengers boarded before the bus drove off, travelling along Tekka Lane towards Race Course Road. Less than a minute later, Kumaravelu was seen following the bus and peering inside from its front door, but Lee waved him off to tell him that the bus was full. Despite this, he continued following after the bus, running to catch it. As Lee turned left onto Race Course Road, he checked his mirror and did not see Kumaravelu, as he was in Lee's blind spot. While Lee made the turn, Kumaravelu had his arm extended against the bus to balance himself, but fell and had his head and torso run over by its left front wheel, killing him immediately at around SST 21:21. Lee exited the bus to check what happened, and workers became agitated at the sight of their fellow worker being run over by the bus. They began attacking the bus, Lee, and Wong, before a worker labelled a "Good Samaritan" in the media helped them back on the bus.Torrijos Elena 8 December 2013 Deceased foreign worker in Little India riot tripped and fell after being ejected from bus: Police https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire--rioting-taking-place-in-little-india--reports-152651999.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20140715045557/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire--rioting-taking-place-in-little-india--reports-152651999.html 15 July 2014 11 July 2014 Yahoo News The situation soon escalated with the workers throwing bottles, stones, trashcans, metal drain covers, and shoes at the bus, severely damaging its windows and windscreen; they also punched and kicked at the bus. Wong was struck by a brick near her left eye and she hid by the driver's seat, while Lee sheltered under a trashcan that had been thrown inside. Two workers later climbed inside through a broken window, where one hit Wong repeatedly on her head with a "stick-like object" while demanding to see Lee, but they left the bus after they were unable to find him. Police arrival and escalation The Singapore Police Force (SPF) received their first call at 21:23Little India riot: A timeline of what happened http://www.todayonline.com/little-india-riot-timeline-what-happened 11 December 2013 Today 21 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20131212151047/http://www.todayonline.com/little-india-riot-timeline-what-happened 12 December 2013 live 10 December 2013 for a traffic disruption, with no concerns about violence mentioned. The SPF deployed two traffic police officers from the Rochor Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) and an ambulance from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Further reports came from Certis Group officers near the scene – who saw the large group of workers – and called for aid with crowd control from other nearby Certis teams and the Kampong Java NPC. The assistant superintendent of police for Kampong Java NPC Jonathan Tang went to Little India with his partner after the alert. From 21:31 to 21:38, the first police and emergency vehicles arrived at the scene, with the crowd size swelling to around 100 people. At 21:39, an SCDF Red Rhino arrived, but their officers did not notice Kumaravelu's body and instead checked on Wong. Tang arrived a minute after and ordered the officers to create a human barrier around the bus in order to remove Kumaravelu's body, during which they were being hit by thrown objects. As more officers with helmets and shields arrived, Tang told them to form a barrier to protect the officers who were leaving the bus, along with Wong and Lee. The crowd size increased to around 400 people (though later reports state it was only 300) by 21:45, and the Special Operations Command (SOC) was activated. The Gurkha Contingent also aided in managing the riot.Teo Kok Seah 16 December 2013 Gurkha contingent did well to contain riot http://www.todayonline.com/voices/gurkha-contingent-did-well-contain-riot dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140313075047/http://www.todayonline.com/voices/gurkha-contingent-did-well-contain-riot 13 March 2014 28 March 2026 Today By 21:56, SCDF rescuers retrieved Kumaravelu's body, where he was pronounced dead by a paramedic. At 22:08, Wong and Lee exited the bus while being surrounded by the officers with shields. Upon this sight, the workers began attacking the group as they saw the two being protected by the officers. Before the arrival of the SOC, from 22:20 to 22:40, the rioters flipped six vehicles and set four on fire. The main areas impacted were the bus site near Race Course Road, Tekka Lane, Kerbau Road, Bukit Timah Road, Hampshire Road, and Northumberland Road. The SOC arrived at 22:50; by then, many rioters surrendered and the crowd had decreased. Quelling of riot By 23:25–23:30, all the rioters had dispersed. Investigations began at 00:01, 9 December, with the police commissioner Ng Joo Hee, police deputy commissioner Hoong Wee Teck, deputy prime minister Teo Chee Hean, and second home affairs minister S. Iswaran arriving shortly after. The investigations completed at 05:08 and the National Environment Agency began cleanup operations. Race Course Road was fully reopened to traffic by 06:45. The riot took one and a half hours to bring under control.Neo Chai Chin Chia Ashley http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/riot-breaks-out-little-india Little India riot: 18 injured, 27 arrested Today 9 December 2013 28 April 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20131210215432/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/riot-breaks-out-little-india 10 December 2013 dead Aftermath Overall, over 300 officers were dispatched to deal with the rioters.Brown Sophie Dozens arrested in Singapore after foreign worker's death sparks riot https://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/09/world/asia/singapore-little-india-riot/index.html 9 December 2013 CNN 9 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131209172653/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/09/world/asia/singapore-little-india-riot/index.html 9 December 2013 live Early estimates put the number of rioters at 400,Grant Jeremy Riot tarnishes Singapore's image as place of ethnic harmony http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/9266db8a-602e-11e3-b360-00144feabdc0.html 9 December 2013 Financial Times 8 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131212083703/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9266db8a-602e-11e3-b360-00144feabdc0.html 12 December 2013 dead but it was later reduced to 300 in the aftermath of the riot. Thirty vehicles were damaged during the riot. No deaths were reported, although sixty-two people were injured – thirty-seven police officers, twelve SCDF officers, five Certis officers, and eight civilians. Two explosions were reportedly heard at the scene; these came from an ambulance and police car that were set on fire.Chan Francis 8 December 2013 Busloads of riot police respond to rioting mob in the heart of Little India http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/busloads-riot-police-respond-rioting-mob-the-heart-little-india-201312 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131208182636/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/busloads-riot-police-respond-rioting-mob-the-heart-little-india-201312 8 December 2013 15 June 2026 The Straits Times Thirty-six of the injured received treatment at Tan Tock Seng Hospital's emergency department. Kumaravelu's body was identified on 9 December at the Singapore General Hospital's mortuary. Reactions thumb|Deputy prime minister Teo Chee Hean (pictured) launched a Committee of Inquiry and stated that "the government will not tolerate such lawless behaviour". Initial responses came from prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who stated on Facebook that it was a "grave incident" and that the police would "spare no effort to identify the culprits and deal with them with the full force of the law". Teo stated that "the government will not tolerate such lawless behaviour" and that the riot would be investigated thoroughly. A press conference was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs at 2 a.m. on 9 December, which was chaired by Teo, Iswaran, Ng, and police deputy commissioner T. Raja Kumar. Later, Lee told Singaporeans to refrain from negative comments against migrant workers,Singapore riot: PM Lee Hsien Loong urges restraint https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25306425 9 December 2013 9 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131209222917/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25306425 9 December 2013 live BBC News and gave his condolences to Kumaravelu's family.Singapore PM condoles Indian's death in accident http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/singapore-pm-condoles-indian-s-death-in-accident/article1-1160847.aspx 9 December 2013 Hindustan Times 9 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131209180018/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/singapore-pm-condoles-indian-s-death-in-accident/article1-1160847.aspx 9 December 2013 dead Transport minister Lui Tuck Yew, who was also the member of parliament for the Little India area, stated that he would consider limiting the sale of alcohol within Little India. 9 December 2013 Singapore's prime minister urges calm after city-state's worst riots since 1964 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/09/singapore-prime-minister-riots-calm-migrant-workers live https://web.archive.org/web/20140825080032/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/09/singapore-prime-minister-riots-calm-migrant-workers 25 August 2014 27 March 2026 The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077 Bangladesh's high commissioner to Singapore, Mahbub Uz Zaman, stated that "the news reports that appeared on a section of media and news involving a Bangladeshi worker is not based on facts", and called for the co-operation of the Bangladeshi community with the Singapore authorities.Bangladesh envoy slams claims Singapore rioting was triggered by bus accident involving worker http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=44119&icid=a&d_str= The Standard 9 December 2013 9 December 2013 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131213124126/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=44119&icid=a&d_str= 13 December 2013 This came following early news reports that erroneously stated that the victim of the accident was a Bangladeshi.Lee Jian Xuan 9 December 2013 Little India Riot: Bangladeshi embassy urges nationals to cooperate with authorities http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/little-india-riot/story/bangladeshis-urged-its-embassy-spore-stay-calm-and-cooperative dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140228072620/http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/little-india-riot/story/bangladeshis-urged-its-embassy-spore-stay-calm-and-cooperative 28 February 2014 28 March 2026 The Straits Times In India, a news report by India's Sun TV on 9 December 2013 attracted controversy in Singapore for erroneously reporting that Kumaravelu was pushed out of the bus by Wong, as well as attacked by locals.Woo Jacqueline India's Sun TV draws flak over erroneous clip http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/indias-sun-tv-draws-flak-over-erroneous-clip 11 December 2013 My Paper 11 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131214193755/http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/indias-sun-tv-draws-flak-over-erroneous-clip 14 December 2013 dead In response to protests from Lim Thuan Kuan, Singapore's high commissioner to India, Sun TV issued a correction the following day and apologised for the error.Ramesh S. Sun TV apologises for incorrect news report on Little India riot http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sun-tv-says-correct/918866.html 11 December 2013 Channel NewsAsia 11 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131214004913/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sun-tv-says-correct/918866.html 14 December 2013 dead India's High Commission in Singapore asked for the Indian community to remain calm following the riot.http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/India-Appeals-for-Calm-in-Singapore/2013/12/10/article1937786.ece India Appeals for Calm in Singapore Mitra, Devirupa 10 December 2013 10 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131213030730/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/India-Appeals-for-Calm-in-Singapore/2013/12/10/article1937786.ece 13 December 2013 dead The New Indian Express In Tamil Nadu, Kumaravelu's mother appealed to the state government to help the family. Mainstream media outlets praised and made public appeals to trace a "Good Samaritan" and other bystanders who attempted to stop the riots, which was captured on video and uploaded to YouTube.Siong Olivia Good Samaritan captured on YouTube helping to stop riot, captured in video http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/good-samaritan-captured-youtube-helping-stop-riot Today 11 December 2013 13 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131213130750/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/good-samaritan-captured-youtube-helping-stop-riot 13 December 2013 liveLittle India's little angels http://www.tnp.sg/content/little-indias-little-angels Mohamed Yusof Dhanaraj 15 December 2013 15 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131215022443/http://www.tnp.sg/content/little-indias-little-angels 15 December 2013 dead Zaihan The New Paper JenniferLittle India Riot: Know mystery man seen asking rioters to stop violent behaviour? Tell us http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/little-india-riot-man-seen-asking-rioters-stop-violent-behaviour-20131 15 December 2013 The Straits Times 9 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131215023319/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/little-india-riot-man-seen-asking-rioters-stop-violent-behaviour-20131 15 December 2013 dead The "Good Samaritan" in the video footage was initially identified as Indian national Thangaval Govindarasu after he came forward following appeals for the identity of the man. However, he later admitted that he was not the man in the video. A coffee shop owner in Little India later claimed that he recognised the man in the footage as a regular customer from Chennai. However, he declined to divulge the name of the customer, and stated he was unaware of where the man worked.Kok Xing Hui 14 December 2013 Man who stepped forward as Little India ‘hero’ is a fake http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/man-who-stepped-forward-little-india-hero-fake dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131216050148/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/man-who-stepped-forward-little-india-hero-fake 16 December 2013 27 March 2026 Today Investigation and charges Initially, twenty-seven rioters were arrested, of which twenty-four were Indian, two were Bangladeshi, and one was a Singaporean permanent resident.Sim Walter Lim Joyce Cheong Kash 9 December 2013 Little India Riot: 27 suspects from South Asia arrested in connection with the riot The Straits Times https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-27-suspects-from-south-asia-arrested-in-connection-with-the-riot-0 28 April 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20160113064240/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-27-suspects-from-south-asia-arrested-in-connection-with-the-riot-0 13 January 2016 dead The rioters were to be charged for rioting and vandalism.https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-singapore-pr-among-27-arrested-police Little India Riot: Singapore PR among 27 arrested: police The Straits Times 9 December 2013 28 April 2020 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20200906183217/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-singapore-pr-among-27-arrested-police 6 September 2020 Investigations later revealed that one Indian, the two Bangladeshis, and the Singaporean permanent resident were not involved in the incident.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-10/an-singapore-to-charge-24-people-for-rioting/5147754 Singapore to charge 24 people for rioting ABC News 10 December 2013 Australian Broadcasting Corporation 10 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131210101138/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-10/an-singapore-to-charge-24-people-for-rioting/5147754 10 December 2013 live The remaining twenty-four were charged on 10 December. Lee, the bus driver, was also arrested for causing death by negligence and was released on bail.http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/victim-of-little-india/916880.html Victim of Little India accident was causing trouble on bus: police Kotwani, Monica 9 December 2013 Channel NewsAsia 10 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131212082753/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/victim-of-little-india/916880.html 12 December 2013 dead Later in February 2014, he was acquitted of all charges. The Attorney-General's Chambers stated that Lee was driving at a speed of 5.6–5.9 km/h and was focusing on manoeuvring around the area, while Kumaravelu had a blood alcohol level of 217 mg per 100 ml of blood. Lee stated that he did not see Kumaravelu due to the poor lighting and did not use a device that could have alerted him to nearby objects due to its glare affecting his driving. Therefore, Kumaravelu's death was ruled an accident, as Lee "could not be expected to foresee that the deceased had run after the bus. Nor could the driver have expected that the deceased would fall into the path of the bus."Sim Walter Little India riot: No action to be taken against bus driver in fatal accident https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-no-action-to-be-taken-against-bus-driver-in-fatal-accident The Straits Times 18 December 2021 11 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20190715231819/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-no-action-to-be-taken-against-bus-driver-in-fatal-accident 15 July 2019 deadLee Amanda 21 February 2014 Riot COI: Bus driver did not help worker as he was ‘following rules’ https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/riot-coi-bus-driver-did-not-help-worker-he-was-following-rules live https://web.archive.org/web/20240921152345/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/riot-coi-bus-driver-did-not-help-worker-he-was-following-rules 21 September 2024 28 March 2026 Today On 10 December, eight workers originating from India were arrested for their involvement in the riot. The following day, three of them were charged in court, with one of the remaining five having been released on bail.See Sharon 3 more charged with rioting at Little India http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/3-more-charged-with/918860.html Channel NewsAsia 11 December 2013 12 December 2013 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131214004849/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/3-more-charged-with/918860.html 14 December 2013 On 12 December, four more workers were charged.Singh Khushwant Little India Riot: Four more Indian nationals charged, remanded for further investigations http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/little-india-riot/story/little-india-riot-four-more-indian-nationals-charged-remanded- The Straits Times 12 December 2013 17 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131215224307/http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/little-india-riot/story/little-india-riot-four-more-indian-nationals-charged-remanded- 15 December 2013 dead On 14 December, two more were charged, bringing the total accused to thirty-three. All were advised by the Law Society of Singapore to apply for their Criminal Legal Aid Scheme if they were unable to acquire counsel.Little India Riot: Two more Indian nationals charged in court http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/little-india-riot-two-more-indian-nationals-charged-court-20131214 The Straits Times 14 December 2013 17 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131217030858/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/little-india-riot-two-more-indian-nationals-charged-court-20131214 17 December 2013 dead On 10 February 2014, an Indian construction worker was sentenced to 15 weeks imprisonment on charges related to the riot.Indian Man jailed for 15 Weeks on charges of Little India Riots Singapore http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/02/indian-man-jailed-for-15-weeks-on-charges-of-little-india-riots-singapore/ Indo-Asian News Service 11 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20150714083537/http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/02/indian-man-jailed-for-15-weeks-on-charges-of-little-india-riots-singapore/ 14 July 2015 dead Bihar Prabha In June, a man was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for his involvement.Poh Ian 10 February 2015 Little India riot: Two sentenced to jail for rioting https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/little-india-riot-two-sentenced-to-jail-for-rioting live https://web.archive.org/web/20151215045916/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/little-india-riot-two-sentenced-to-jail-for-rioting 15 December 2015 28 March 2026 The Straits Times On 2 October, a man was sentenced to 25 months imprisonment with three strokes of the cane for flipping a police car.Chong Elena Man who flipped police car in Little India riot gets 25 months' jail and canning https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/man-who-flipped-police-car-in-little-india-riot-gets-25-months-jail-and The Straits Times 28 April 2020 2 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160322133840/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/man-who-flipped-police-car-in-little-india-riot-gets-25-months-jail-and 22 March 2016 dead On 2 December, a construction worker was sentenced to a year of imprisonment for assaulting a police officer during the riot.Poh Ian Little India riot: Foreign worker jailed a year for assaulting a police officer https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/little-india-riot-foreign-worker-jailed-a-year-for-assaulting-a-police The Straits Times 28 April 2020 2 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20150715034456/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/little-india-riot-foreign-worker-jailed-a-year-for-assaulting-a-police 15 July 2015 dead On 10 February 2015, two more workers were sentenced to 27 and 25 months imprisonment for their involvement in the riots.Ng Kelly 11 February 2015 Two more jailed for role in Little India riot https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/two-more-jailed-role-in-little-india-riot-5842181 live https://web.archive.org/web/20260328094846/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/two-more-jailed-role-in-little-india-riot-5842181 28 March 2026 28 March 2026 ChannelNews Asia en The last accused for rioting was sentenced on 2 June 2015. In total, twenty-five rioters were sentenced.Hussain Amir 28 May 2015 Last man to be dealt with in Little India riot found guilty of failing to disperse https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/last-man-to-be-dealt-with-in-little-india-riot-found-guilty-of-failing-to live https://web.archive.org/web/20151217123917/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/last-man-to-be-dealt-with-in-little-india-riot-found-guilty-of-failing-to 17 December 2015 28 March 2026 The Straits Times 53 workers were deported for offences ranging from obstructing the police to failing to follow police orders to disperse,Little India Riot: Police hold press conference on repatriation of workers involved in riot https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-police-hold-press-conference-on-repatriation-of-workers-involved-in-ri-0 The Straits Times 28 April 2020 20 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20200906183058/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-police-hold-press-conference-on-repatriation-of-workers-involved-in-ri-0 6 September 2020 dead while 200 workers received formal advisories to obey the law.Lee Pearl Little India riot: 200 foreign workers receive police advisories https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-200-foreign-workers-receive-police-advisories The Straits Times 28 April 2020 22 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20200906183205/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-200-foreign-workers-receive-police-advisories 6 September 2020 dead Alcohol ban Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015 thumb|A sign in Little India (pictured in 2014), indicating a ban on alcohol consumption under the Public Order (Preservation) Act. On 12 December, the SPF banned alcohol sales in Little India for the coming weekend and declared Little India a "proclaimed area" under the Public Order (Preservation) Act, following reports that alcohol consumption may have played a role in the riot.13 December 2013 Singapore bans drinking in Little India riot zone https://www.arabnews.com/news/491781 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131214105237/http://www.arabnews.com/news/491781 14 December 2013 29 March 2026 Arab News en19 January 2014 18 January 2014 Little India riot to be discussed in Parliament https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/little-india-riot-be-discussed-parliament live https://web.archive.org/web/20240918131425/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/little-india-riot-be-discussed-parliament 18 September 2024 29 March 2026 Today This initial ban over the 14–15 December weekend was later extended for six months until 24 June 2014. Furthermore, a bill was introduced in Parliament that gave officers in the Little India area the authority to strip search individuals and detain them if alcohol or weapons were found on them, although this law was only in action for a year.Mei Hua Raman Ranjini 16 February 2014 New Singapore Law Will Not Keep Peace in Little India https://thediplomat.com/2014/02/new-singapore-law-will-not-keep-peace-in-little-india/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20240807185339/https://thediplomat.com/2014/02/new-singapore-law-will-not-keep-peace-in-little-india/ 7 August 2024 29 March 2026 The Diplomat en-US During this period, merchants of the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association expressed their difficulties from the alcohol ban with law minister K. Shanmugam. They suggested that the ban should start later in the evening or a designated area be established for workers to consume alcohol, as they were experiencing low sales and foot traffic due to the ban.Sumita Sreedharan 19 February 2014 Struggling Little India shopowners suggest later start to alcohol ban https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/struggling-little-india-shopowners-suggest-later-start-alcohol-ban live https://web.archive.org/web/20150213211621/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/struggling-little-india-shopowners-suggest-later-start-alcohol-ban 13 February 2015 29 March 2026 Today The riot eventually led to the implementation of a new law in 2015 – the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act – which banned the consumption of alcohol from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. in all public places.Lim Yi Han 1 April 2015 What you can or cannot do under the new alcohol law The Straits Times https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/what-you-can-or-cannot-do-under-the-new-alcohol-law live https://web.archive.org/web/20180708221316/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/what-you-can-or-cannot-do-under-the-new-alcohol-law 8 July 2018 12 July 2018 Under the law, Little India was classified as a "Liquor Control Zone" alongside Geylang, which gave to stricter regulations on alcohol consumption in those areas.Lim Yi Han 31 May 2015 Stricter rules in Geylang and Little India as alcohol laws kick in https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/stricter-rules-in-geylang-and-little-india-as-alcohol-laws-kick-in?ref=inline-article live https://web.archive.org/web/20260329081743/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/stricter-rules-in-geylang-and-little-india-as-alcohol-laws-kick-in?ref=inline-article 29 March 2026 29 March 2026 The Straits Times In 2019, food products containing alcohol were exempted from the act.https://www.mha.gov.sg/newsroom/press-release/news/update-on-mha-review-of-exemption-of-food-products-containing-alcohol Update on MHA's Review of Exemption of Food Products Containing Alcohol 17 January 2019 24 October 2019 24 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191024065410/https://www.mha.gov.sg/newsroom/press-release/news/update-on-mha-review-of-exemption-of-food-products-containing-alcohol dead Ministry of Home AffairsGoh Timothy https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mha-lifts-liquor-control-act-restrictions-on-food-products-containing-alcohol Food products with alcohol can be sold after 10.30pm as MHA lifts restrictions from Jan 18 The Straits Times 17 January 2019 24 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20241127121932/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mha-lifts-liquor-control-act-restrictions-on-food-products-containing-alcohol 27 November 2024 live Committee of Inquiry On 13 December, Teo appointed a four-member Committee of Inquiry (COI) to look into and investigate the incident; it was completed on 27 June 2014.Ministry of Home Affairs 2014 4–5 It was composed of former judge G. Pannir Selvam, former police commissioner Tee Tua Ba, former NTUC president John De Pavya, and West Coast Citizens’ Consultative Committee chairman Andrew Chua Thiam Chwee.14 December 2013 13 December 2013 Little India Riot: COI to submit findings within 6 months https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/little-india-riot-coi-submit-findings-within-6-months live https://web.archive.org/web/20140313080318/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/little-india-riot-coi-submit-findings-within-6-months 13 March 2014 29 March 2026 Today The COI stated that Kumaravelu's death was the primary cause of the riot, which was further fuelled by misconceptions and intoxication amongst the rioters.30 June 2014 Little India riot: Committee of Inquiry report https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/lttle-india-riot-committee-inquiry-report live https://web.archive.org/web/20240918131432/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/lttle-india-riot-committee-inquiry-report 18 September 2024 29 March 2026 Today Some misunderstandings include that the workers assumed that the first arriving officers were there to arrest Wong and Lee for the accident, but instead saw them being protected. There were further rumours that Kumaravelu did not die instantly and cried for help, that Wong shoved him off the bus, and that officers disrespected Kumaravelu's body by kicking him, but all were found to be false. The COI also ruled out racial or labour issues as contributing factors. It explained that riots usually occurred when minority groups want to express dissatisfaction at certain issues, but that the Little India riot did not fulfil this criteria, as the rioters were a small amount of all migrant workers, the incident was spontaneous, there was no ethnic discrimination involved, the rioters' actions were not met with support, and police brutality was not involved. However, the COI stated that, despite the fact that labour conditions were not a factor of the riots, living conditions of migrant workers could be improved.Kok Xing Hui 1 October 2014 30 June 2014 Little India riot: Foreign workers’ dissatisfaction did not cause riot, says COI https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/little-india-riot-foreign-workers-dissatisfaction-did-not-cause-riot-says-coi live https://web.archive.org/web/20240918055808/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/little-india-riot-foreign-workers-dissatisfaction-did-not-cause-riot-says-coi 18 September 2024 29 March 2026 Today Police action The SPF's actions and role during the riot were both praised and critiqued in the COI; they effectively extracted Kumaravelu's body and rescued Wong and Lee, but the SCDF should not have left the area afterwards and instead remained to monitor the situation. During the riot, there was confusion among the officers on who were the highest-ranking and therefore should be deferred to, with additional high-ranking officers later arriving in plainclothes. The officers' radios did not work effectively as there were too many messages being sent from the same area, which resulted in a delay to the SOC's arrival. The SOC also took a slower route as they were unable to be radioed the fastest way there; an unnecessary u-turn was made at Bukit Timah Road, which increased their arrival time by fifteen minutes.Ministry of Home Affairs 2014 49, 54–55 As the SPF assumed that the SOC would arrive quickly, they did not set up a command post or arrest any of the rioters, which may have caused the rioters' actions to grow bolder upon seeing the inaction of the SPF. Some SPF officers argued that it was not possible for them to carry out these measures as they were overwhelmed, but the COI wrote that two officers – Fadli Shaifuddin bin Mohamed Sani and Srisivangkar Subramaniam – separately managed to disperse some groups of rioters without being overwhelmed.Ministry of Home Affairs 2014 55 During the hearing of the COI, deputy assistant commissioner Lu Yeow Lim was criticised for "[staying] put at a protected place and [doing] nothing", along with not authorising any arrests and his lack of awareness on the number of deployed officers. Lu defended his actions as he planned to wait for the SOC's arrival and that his officers were outnumbered.Kok Xing Hui 4 March 2014 Riot inquiry: Senior police officer grilled on lack of situational awareness, arrests https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/riot-inquiry-senior-police-officer-grilled-lack-situational-awareness-arrests live https://web.archive.org/web/20240919071047/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/riot-inquiry-senior-police-officer-grilled-lack-situational-awareness-arrests 19 September 2024 30 March 2026 TodayKok Xing Hui 5 March 2014 Police commander comes under fire for ‘staying put and doing nothing’ during riot https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/police-commander-comes-under-fire-staying-put-and-doing-nothing-during-riot live https://web.archive.org/web/20241204235838/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/police-commander-comes-under-fire-staying-put-and-doing-nothing-during-riot 4 December 2024 30 March 2026 Today The COI examined that, as Singapore modernised, the SPF focused less on militarisation and became more civilised, reducing the need for a large SOC. Due to this, the SOC may have been disadvantaged during the riot.Ministry of Home Affairs 2014 50 The COI recommended that the SPF's command, communications, and situation control be improved; frontline officers be more properly equipped to handle large-scale disorderly situations; the SPF and SOC's manpower and resources be increased; the SPF and SCDF's abilities to handle large public disorder situations be improved; and that time taken to gain approval or activate resources be reduced during emergency situations. Legacy The riot raised debate online by Singaporeans on the issues of overcrowding and increasing number of migrant workers in Singapore.Chun Han Wong Singapore Riot Signals Foreign-Labor Strains https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304744304579247823604540160 9 December 2013 The Wall Street Journal 9 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150209212744/http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304744304579247823604540160 9 February 2015 live subscriptionSingapore PM sounds warning after riot http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/12/singapore-pm-sounds-warning-after-riot-2013129489132684.html 9 December 2013 Al Jazeera 9 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131210170652/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/12/singapore-pm-sounds-warning-after-riot-2013129489132684.html 10 December 2013 live It also highlighted ongoing tensions within Singapore regarding the country's heavy reliance on foreign labour. Similarities were also drawn from the riot to the 2012 bus drivers' strike.Grant Jeremy Lee orders review of Singapore migrant areas http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/98bf2ee0-60df-11e3-b7f1-00144feabdc0.html 9 December 2013 Financial Times 9 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20140212075626/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/98bf2ee0-60df-11e3-b7f1-00144feabdc0.html 12 February 2014 dead Some commented on the treatment of migrant workers, with blogger and activist Roy Ngerng stating that "the inequality that has taken root in Singapore has dire consequences and they are beginning to show." Migrant labour activist Jolovan Wham said it was unclear if "pent-up rage" was a symptom of the riot.Migrant labor activists suspect pent-up rage exploded in Singapore riot http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=44133&icid=1&d_str= 9 December 2013 The Standard Hong Kong 9 December 2013 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131213124242/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=44133&icid=1&d_str= 13 December 2013 Jeremy Grant of the Financial Times described the riot as having revealed the disharmony amongst Singapore's multiple races, but the COI disproved Grant's article for implying that racial issues were the cause of the riot.Ministry of Home Affairs 2014 45 The Singaporean authorities called for calm and warned against speculation.Eighteen injured as foreign workers riot in Singapore's Little India district http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-09/an-hundreds-of-foreign-workers-riot-in-singapore/5143372 9 December 2013 Australia Network News 9 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131209083723/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-09/an-hundreds-of-foreign-workers-riot-in-singapore/5143372 9 December 2013 live Analysing the riot, Nanyang Technological University assistant sociology professor Premchand Varma stated that Singaporeans do not interact heavily with migrant workers and that they are not largely considered a part of Singaporean society, while the National University of Singapore's (NUS) sociologist Paulin Straughan attributed this to a lack of daily interaction with migrant workers. Eugene Tan of the Singapore Management University (SMU) agreed with Straughan and questioned the "gated communities" dividing migrant workers and Singaporeans. Non-government organisations focusing on migrants' issues such as the Migrant Workers' Centre and the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics reported increased interest in their work after the riot.Lim Yan Liang Sim Walter 6 December 2014 Little India Riot: One Year Later - The night that changed Singapore http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/little-india-riot-one-year-later-the-night-changed-singa dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141214131946/http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/little-india-riot-one-year-later-the-night-changed-singa 14 December 2014 30 March 2026 The Straits Times In August 2014, 180 officers involved in the incident received the Pingat Perkhidmatan Operasi Home Team, which was instituted that same year and recognised officers who "responded to deal with major incidents".Chua Alfred 7 August 2014 Officers involved in Little India riot receive new award https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/officers-involved-little-india-riot-receive-new-award live https://web.archive.org/web/20250125130816/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/officers-involved-little-india-riot-receive-new-award 25 January 2025 30 March 2026 Today Later in November, a Facebook post by national development minister Khaw Boon Wan showcasing officers participating in an anti-riot drill drew controversy, as it used South Asian workers from a dormitory in Woodlands to represent the rioters. Many Singaporeans online commented on the racial undertones of the exercise, with Tan of SMU stating that "it reinforces certain stereotypes". NUS's sociologist Tan Ern Ser described the situation as unavoidable and encouraged building understanding with migrant workers. Khaw clarified that the drill was done to create awareness and was a typical exercise. In December 2014, reflecting on the riot a year later, Lee said that he had moved on from the incident after suffering from depression for two months. He returned to driving buses, but ferried international school students more frequently than migrant workers. Wong had left her timekeeping job and worked at a flea market selling children's clothes. She remained mentally scarred from the incident.Yeo Sam Jo 6 December 2014 Little India Riot: One Year Later - Bus timekeeper: 'I'm still scared of that place...' http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-one-year-later-bus-timekeeper-im-still-scared-of-that-place dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160518231118/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-one-year-later-bus-timekeeper-im-still-scared-of-that-place 18 May 2016 30 March 2026 The Straits Times In 2023, she was reported to be working as a school bus attendant, and she visited Little India in August 2023 for the first time since 2013.Chua Nadine 11 November 2024 3 December 2023 ‘I thought I’d never see my daughter again’: Little India riot survivor https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/i-thought-i-d-never-see-my-daughter-again-little-india-riot-survivor live https://web.archive.org/web/20231203003438/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/i-thought-i-d-never-see-my-daughter-again-little-india-riot-survivor 3 December 2023 30 March 2026 The Straits Times Little India's surveillance increased from 34 cameras in 2016 to 200 in 2020, with senior parliamentary secretary for home affairs Amrin Amin stating that the increased surveillance was to aid in crime management in the area.Koh Fabian 7 April 2020 Parliament: Six-fold increase in police cameras in Little India from 2016 https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-six-fold-increase-in-police-cameras-in-little-india-from-2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210406215308/https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-six-fold-increase-in-police-cameras-in-little-india-from-2016 6 April 2021 30 March 2026 The Straits Times en In a 2023 article by The Straits Times, some residents reported that Little India has since become safer and cleaner, with the alcohol ban contributing to these factors. Two new bus terminals for migrant workers were also built in Little India at Hampshire Road and Tekka Lane, respectively; prior to their construction, workers usually waited in open fields.Zaihan Mohamed Yusof Devaraj Samuel 11 November 2024 4 December 2023 Little India residents, shopkeepers deeply impacted by 2013 riot https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-residents-shopkeepers-deeply-impacted-by-2013-riot live https://web.archive.org/web/20231227141633/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-residents-shopkeepers-deeply-impacted-by-2013-riot 27 December 2023 30 March 2026 The Straits Times See also List of riots in Singapore References Notes 30em Citations 30em Works cited 30em Lee Wei Feng Ooi Chee Kheong Phua Dong Huar Wong Eric Ming Hai Chan Wui Ling Ng Yih Yng 2015 The Little India riot: experience of an emergency department in Singapore http://www.smj.org.sg/sites/default/files/SMJ-56-677.pdf live Singapore Medical Journal 56 12 677–680 10.11622/smedj.2015188 https://web.archive.org/web/20180721221114/http://www.smj.org.sg/sites/default/files/SMJ-56-677.pdf 21 July 2018 27 June 2014 Report of the Committee of Inquiry Into the Little India Riot on 8 December 2013 http://www.mha.gov.sg/Data/Files/file/Little%20India%20Riot%20COI%20report%20-%202014-06-27.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140801084224/http://www.mha.gov.sg/Data/Files/file/Little%20India%20Riot%20COI%20report%20-%202014-06-27.pdf 1 August 2014 27 March 2026 Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Home Affairs 2014 1 18 30 N 103 51 3 E title Category:2013 in Singapore Category:2013 riots Category:December 2013 crimes in Asia Category:December 2013 in Asia Category:Race riots in Singapore Category:2013 crimes in Singapore