Chairman
of the Committee of Inquiry (COI) into the December 8 riot suggesting in
hearings a lathi become the offensive
weapon of choice for Riot Police in Singapore, following the example of India
and Bangldesh. In the former case the lathi
recently proved effective in quelling a protest march outside the Indian
Parliament. ("...put down" the term used in the reportage.) Currently
Riot Police here use a defensive T-baton, effective in cases of knife attack
and the like at close range; less so dealing with a large mob that refuses to
disperse when ordered to do so. A policeman giving evidence before the
Committee explained why he didn't resort to fire-arms, either warning shots
into the air or into the crowd: by-standers on the one hand and overwhelming
numbers on the other. Predictable lines of enquiry.
In the following day's newspaper report allegations of police cowardice at the riot were dismissed. Unclear whether again suggested by the Chairman of the Committee.
Raids meanwhile on the "illegal" pavement barbers, invariably Indian and Bangla construction workers moonlighting into the night. Early days here a new-comer wondered about the impressive sharp cuts sported by the lads on their free Sundays (mostly once monthly). They were not likely to pay salon prices. The answer subsequently discovered on the late-night Long Marches. Two or three dollars for compatriots; foreigners $4 - 5. Brush-down after; talcum powder a must. Fine scenes under the lit verandas of waiting customers reading newspapers, tailors along the way at their Singers, sireh leaf stalls. (Mild narcotics OK.) Public health and safety angle presented for the routing.
In the following day's newspaper report allegations of police cowardice at the riot were dismissed. Unclear whether again suggested by the Chairman of the Committee.
Raids meanwhile on the "illegal" pavement barbers, invariably Indian and Bangla construction workers moonlighting into the night. Early days here a new-comer wondered about the impressive sharp cuts sported by the lads on their free Sundays (mostly once monthly). They were not likely to pay salon prices. The answer subsequently discovered on the late-night Long Marches. Two or three dollars for compatriots; foreigners $4 - 5. Brush-down after; talcum powder a must. Fine scenes under the lit verandas of waiting customers reading newspapers, tailors along the way at their Singers, sireh leaf stalls. (Mild narcotics OK.) Public health and safety angle presented for the routing.
....Front page of the newspaper on the day following, seventh day of hearing, a young Traffic cop lauded for charging into a portion of the rioters with baton raised.
"In the past few days, COI members had repeatedly asked why the police failed to "gravitate" towards the rioters or engage them...."
Another more senior policeman's courage was questioned.
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