In Singapore, dozens of foreign workers are being sent home for their role in the countries first major riot in over forty years.  Fifty two Indian citizens as well as a national from Bangladesh will be deported for their role in an attack on emergency teams and their cars following an accident in the Little India district.  The fifty three internationals who were held in prison, have lived in Singapore for no more than five years and most are construction workers.

This was the police commissioners statement to the public, “They have been served with stern police warnings and immigration removal orders and will be repatriated to their home countries shortly.  They were violent; they had attacked uniformed personnel and vehicles, damaged property, and had incited others to do so.”

After a bus ran over a middle aged Indian man, a riot broke out.  During the riot according to the authorities the group set fire to vehicles, attacked rescue crews, and threw objects as the rescue team attempted to recover the man’s body.

Along with the fifty three foreign workers involved, seven other residents of the country, the charges against each of them were dropped, but twenty eight others will be charged and could face up to seven years in jail. “Around 200 foreign workers who were at the scene of the attack but did not directly participate will be issued an advisory, and will be allowed to stay in Singapore, on condition of continued good behavior.(CNN)”

No more arrests are expected to be made, and the reason for the riot is under investigation.  “A witness, Dharmendra Yadav, told Channel News Asia that at least two vehicles were on fire, and rubbish and broken bottles were strewn on the streets. He said he and many others were in a nearby Hindu temple attending a wedding when temple officials received a call from the police asking that the gates be locked and the guests stay inside until given clearance by the police.  He said a short while later he heard a commotion in the street and bottles being thrown. “We heard explosions. We also heard warnings from riot police,” he said.(The Gaurdian News)”

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said “whatever events may have sparked the rioting, there is no excuse for such violent, destructive, and criminal behavior.”