Singapore riots probe panel hearing next week

The Committee of Inquiry (COI) tasked to investigate the riots Dec 8 last year in this city-state will commence public hearing next Wednesday.

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) will lead the evidence at the hearing, which will last at least four weeks, the Channel Newsasia reported Friday.

The committee intends to call at least 70 witnesses for the public hearing Feb 19.

The committee, in a statement, said that investigators from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) have interviewed and taken statements from close to 300 witnesses.

It has also visited the scene of the violence in the Little India area here and spoken to foreign workers to seek their views on the riot.

It also examined the living conditions of foreign workers in the area where the riots broke out.

The Little India riots started at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road here around 9.20 p.m. Dec 8 when a private bus knocked down and killed Indian construction worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu, 33.

About 400 people attacked the bus and police and rescue vehicles for two hours before riot police brought the situation under control.

A total of 25 emergency vehicles were damaged, along with five that were set on fire while 39 police officers and four civil defence and auxiliary officers were injured.

Some 25 foreign nationals have so far been charged in court for rioting and at least 52 people deported.