Singapore police warn 200 foreign workers against criminal activity

The workers were told they must abide by the laws and should they commit any criminal offence.

Some 200 foreign workers,including Indians,were on Sunday issued formal police advisories for alleged involvement in Singapores worst street violence in 40 years.

The move came two days after 56 Indians and a Bangladeshi were deported from Singapore for alleged involvement in the December 8 riot in Little India,a precinct of Indian-origin businesses,eateries and pubs.

Police said those issued advisories had played a passive and incidental role during the riot.

The workers started arriving at the Police Cantonment Complex at 10 am to receive police advisories at the Criminal Investigation Department. The foreign workers were accompanied by representatives of the companies they work for. The workers were reminded they must abide by the laws of Singapore and should they commit any criminal offence,they would face stern action,including the revocation of their work privileges,Channel News Asia reported,citing the advisory.

While a police warning is usually issued in place of prosecution and indicates that an offence may have been committed,an advisory is given to those who have not committed offences,and face no further action,The Straits Times quoted Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee as saying.

This third group,besides the ones deported and charged,will neither be further detained nor repatriated. They would be allowed to work and stay in Singapore but there should be no complaints against them in future,Ng said in a statement last Friday.

Meanwhile,the 28 Indians charged with rioting are set to make an appearance in court on Monday after being remanded for investigations.

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Most workers and their supervisors did not seem to know why they were called.

Suresh Babu,37,was at the complex to accompany his worker,Indian national Arumugan Thennappan,to receive the advisory.

The police just told me to report here with my worker at 11 am. They did not explain why we have to come down, Suresh,an administrative manager,was quoted by The Straits Times.

Manikgam Arumugam,a construction worker,said: They asked me to obey the rules and I said okay. Yes,I will go to Little India if I want to send money or buy any groceries. I dont mind going there. I am not afraid.