SINGAPORE, Feb 14 — The public hearing for the Committee of Inquiry (COI) on the Little India Riot will start on February 19, at 10am at Court 13 of the Subordinate Courts.
The COI Secretariat said in preparing for the inquiry proceedings, the appointed investigators from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) had interviewed and taken statements from close to 300 witnesses.
The COI has reviewed these statements and intends to call at least 70 witnesses to give oral evidence at the public hearing.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers will be leading the evidence at the hearing.
On the first day of the hearing, senior state counsel David Khoo will present an opening statement to the COI, explaining broadly the evidence to be presented over the course of the inquiry, covering the events surrounding the riot and some of the possible factors and circumstances that might have led to it.
The COI had earlier invited all 57 foreign workers who were repatriated to be interviewed on a voluntary basis before departing from Singapore of which, 20 volunteered.
At the hearing from February 19, the COI will also call a number of foreign workers who have been issued with police advisories to give evidence.
It is estimated that the COI hearing will span at least four weeks.
The first week of the hearing will focus on establishing how the riot unfolded and how the response forces managed the incident.
On December 8, 2013, a riot erupted in Little India, following a fatal accident involving a 33-year-old Indian national.
In the incident, the first in Singapore’s history since its independence, 25 emergency vehicles were damaged and 39 Home Team officers injured. — Bernama
