Indian jailed for nine months for Little India riot

This is the 13th India to be imprisoned in the country's worst street violence in 40 years

A 28-year-old Indian was today jailed for nine months in Singapore for being a member of an unlawful assembly during the Little India riot last December, becoming the 13th Indian to be imprisoned in the country's worst street violence in 40 years.

Palanivel Dhasmohan, who worked in the construction sector here, pleaded guilty to one charge of being part of an unlawful assembly by show of criminal force aimed to intimidate public servants carrying out their duties to maintain law and order in the vicinity of Little India, a precinct of Indian-origin businesses, eateries and pubs.

The incident occurred on December 8 night when Dhasmohan noticed a mob of about 100 people attacking a bus.

Dhasmohan joined the crowd and walked along Race Course Road and Chander Road for about 45 minutes. At one point, he even picked up a beer can and threw it onto the street.

He could have been jailed for two years and fined under the charge.

The riot was sparked by a fatal accident involving a bus and an Indian national who was working in Singapore.

Some 400 migrant workers were at the scene of the riot during which 23 emergency vehicles were damaged and 54 police officers injured. Fifty-two Indians were deported from Singapore for their alleged involvement in the riots.

Twenty-five Indian nationals, working in Singapore on permits, were charged for rioting.