Little India Riot: Aftermath

SINGAPORE - Walking along Race Course Road on Monday morning, you'd never have thought a riot had taken place the night before.

But last night's riot involving some 400 people did leave its mark.

For some shopkeepers along Race Course Road and Buffalo Road, the clean up has just begun, whilst wondering what really happened last night.

Siva Balagi from Guru's Marketing told RazorTV that the crowd was out of control. He wasn't sure what they were doing, but he saw them throwing items such as stones and bottles, as well as his boxes. His shops' items had also collapsed in the riot. They decided to close the shutters of the shop and went upstairs.

Gurpreet Singh from Vege Mart shared that he saw many people fighting and a fire. His bossed called him to close the shop at 10pm.

"I cannot say [they were] drunk also, because, next day morning, they'll have to go to work. So they'll drink like normal, just talk with friends, drink like one or two bottles, that's all," said Mateen Ahmad from Spice Box Restaurant.

He added that yesterday was the first of such an incident since his three years at the restaurant. The rioters had also taken the chairs and tables that his restaurant kept outside.

Mani from The Banana Leaf Apolo shared that on Monday morning, things were back to normal and the road was cleared.

Speaking to the press this morning Transport Minister and Member of Parliament for Moulmein-Kallang GRC said, "In my mind, it was quite evident that alcohol could have been a contributory factor."

Mr Lui is looking in the possibility of demarcated areas and allocated time period where alcohol would be allowed to be consumed.

With 27 people already arrested and a strong police presence in the area this morning, some residents feel that the situation is under control.

When asked if he felt scared or nervous, a member of the public said he felt somewhat scared and nervous and he might not take his family out in Little India at night depending on how the situation goes down.

"Yeah, a little fearful before I want to bring him [her young son] down here, but I guess the police has done a good job and cleared up the place. And they are in control, so I think we should feel quite safe," said another member of the public.