Singapore group seeks clarification on Indian deportations

Civil society group Workfair Singapore, which works for the welfare of local and migrant workers, has asked the law ministry to clarify why Indians who had charges dropped against them for alleged rioting were eventually deported.

As many as 57 Indian nationals, allegedly involved in the Dec 8 riot in the Little India area, have been sent home, Today Online reported Wednesday.

Police said even though charges against four Indians were dropped, their involvement in the mayhem was deemed serious enough for repatriation.

Workfair Singapore, in a statement to the media Dec 24, said that if the workers were acquitted, then they must be innocent.

The group added that giving the Indian men a warning also suggested they were not a security threat, the report said.

Workfair Singapore said the law of the land allows for a ministerial appeal against deportation.

It also said that in deporting the workers, the law ministry claimed it took "firm and quick action" to avoid "additional social and security risks" caused by recurrence of an incident.

However, the group said the ministry has not made clear on what foundation these claims rest.

The riots broke out after an Indian worker, Sakthivel Kumaravelu, died Dec 8 after being run over by a bus in the Little India neighbourhood.

Mobs attacked police officers who responded to the accident call in what was the biggest riot in Singapore in 40 years.