7 youths slashed

[Red 5]

Nov 10, 2010

GANG-RELATED ATTACKS

7 youths slashed

Attackers believed to be from gang linked to Downtown East murder

By Mavis Toh & Jermyn Chow

'We are determined to hunt down the perpetrators and see to it that they are dealt with to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of their age.' - Director Ng Boon Gay of the Criminal Investigation Department, who also said the police will not tolerate such instances of violent behaviour.

'They asked me in Malay whether I was from the Pak Hai Tong gang... I said no... They pulled up my left leg and three guys started slashing me...I tried to struggle but was too shocked and helpless, I couldn't open my mouth to shout for help.' - 20-year-old Jayasiva Shangar Guru, who was on his way home when he was confronted

'About seven of them were holding parangs and they whacked us... We tried to run but everything happened very fast.' - Lucas Tan, 17, a Republic Polytechnic student who was slashed on his neck and required seven stitches

'At times, they would hurl Hokkien vulgarities at each other in the wee hours of the morning,' - Ms Stella Koh, a resident who has lived in Block 418 for six years. Residents in the area say the place is a popular hangout for the groups of youngsters who display rowdy behaviour. Many of them who are in their late teens also sleep overnight in the nearby playground.

A victim of attacks in the Bukit Panjang area, Mr Jayasiva Shangar Guru. His attackers slashed his legs with 16-inch parangs and also stabbed him in the back -- ST PHOTO: JERMYN CHOW

SEVEN youths were repeatedly slashed by a group of parang-wielding men in Bukit Panjang on Monday night, in what appeared to be gang-related attacks.

The victims, aged between 14 and 20, were set upon in two separate incidents - first when a 20-year-old assistant technician was slashed in the back and legs, and then when a group of 20 youths were surrounded. In both instances, the assailants first asked their victims whether they were from a gang named 'Pak Hai Tong'. When the victims denied associations with the group, they were slashed.

The gang, believed to be eight-men strong, also shouted 'Sah Lak Kau' (Hokkien for 369), another gang name, before fleeing the scene. The vicious slashings left 20-year-old Jayasiva Shangar Guru hospitalised while six others from the second attack received outpatient treatment for their wounds. No one has been arrested so far.

[email protected]
[email protected]

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of the Straits Times.

 

[Red 5]

'Crack down on youth gangs'


Nov 10, 2010

YOUTH GANG CLASHES

'Crack down on youth gangs'

By Bryan Huang

Seven youths were repeatedly slashed by a group of parang-wielding men in Bukit Panjang. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

TWO days after seven youths were repeatedly slashed by a group of parang-wielding men in Bukit Panjang, readers of The Straits Times are calling for more to be done to combat gang activities. Monday's attacks came less than two weeks after Republic Polytechnic student Darren Ng was fatally stabbed at Downtown East in Pasir Ris, prompting many readers to voice their concerns.

Facebook user Siti Nor'aini Abdul Samat wondered if the sudden emergence of youth gangs were copy cats. 'I'm sure they have been around for some time but why the sudden outburst..? Just after the Downtown East incident I'm sure they are not stupid enough to commit another one, but then again maybe they just want to let us know about their presence... if the latter is the case, Mr policeman please do more ground work and solve the case pronto...!'

Facebook user Nic Kcal said: 'I actually hope the police really keep their eyes open & be more alert! Apparently from the neighbours feedback and the carrying of parang knives mean the revival of gangs is back... Unless police are on their toes... no one can tell when or where the next big slash will be.' Users of The Straits Times discussion board voiced similar concerns.

User Just1more said: 'The recent killing in DTE and brutal attacks on a group of youngsters in a playground exposes the inadequacy of police present in public area. It is time for MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) to re-evaluate their manpower strength. It is true that we can hardly see any police around in public areas. Is the island that secured?'

User boixosnois_1 commented: 'Are the police aware of the existence of the gangs? Didn't they say we've eradicated the gangsters? How did they make a comeback? How are they going to deal with the gangs now?' User Melvinchanko also urged action, saying: 'Police and CID should come down hard on this budding problem before their 'memberships' swell beyond control... and set up 'branches' all over the island... By then, it will not be safe for anyone, adults and youths alike.'

User ngmayyoong also shared this view. 'MHA has to increase more police patrols, if they are short-handed, please ask the army to help. It's now the school holidays, more youth will be going out and having fun. No families or friends want to see their sons or friends in trouble.'

 

[Red 5]

A victim of the attacks in the bukit panjang area, Mr Jayasiva Shangar Guru, 20, Asst Technician at a local hostpial. -- PHOTO: JERMYN CHOW

Aerial view of the area in front of Block 418 in Bukit Panjang where a fight took place last night. -- PHOTO: SAMUEL HE

-- PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO


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[Red 5]

-- PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO

-- PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO

-- PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO


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[Red 5]

-- PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO

-- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

-- PHOTO: SHIN MIN


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[Red 5]

-- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

-- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

-- PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO


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[Red 5]

-- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

-- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

-- PHOTO: SHIN MIN


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[Red 5]

Seven youths assaulted in fight at Bukit Panjang


Seven youths assaulted in fight at Bukit Panjang
By Alvina Soh / Ng Lian Cheong | Posted: 09 November 2010 2052 hrs
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The site of one of the attacks. </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
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SINGAPORE: Seven youths, aged between 14 and 20, were assaulted in what was believed to be a gang fight at Bukit Panjang on Monday night, seriously injuring one of them.

Police say the assault first took place at about 10pm at Block 418, Fajar Road - where a 20-year-old man was beaten up and later hospitalised.

Not long after, the group of attackers rained blows on six others near a basketball court at Jelapang Road - some 400 metres from the first site.

The group of attackers were said to be yelling gang slogans, such as "369" - a gang affiliation.

All seven youths were sent to hospital.

Police are investigating.

Residents said there has been a recent spate of youth activities in the area.

"For the past two months, there have been a bunch of kids, youngsters, they are playing skateboard. They make noise all the way through the night, maybe sometimes till 1 to 2am and sometimes to 3 to 4am and we can hear the noise. And there's some motorbikes making noises down there," said a resident.

-CNA/ac

 

[Red 5]

Fifth youth charged


Nov 11, 2010

DOWNTOWN EAST MURDER
Fifth youth charged

By Khushwant Singh

The area of Downtown East was cordoned off by the police after Darren Ng Wei Jie, 19 was attacked by a group of youths on Oct 30 -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

A FIFTH person was on Wednesday charged with causing the Oct 30 death of polytechnic student Darren Ng in Downtown East - but there was drama outside the courtroom too. Nineteen youths who turned up to support Louis Tong Qing Yao when he appeared before a district court also ended up being arrested. The 19 males aged between 17 and 22 are believed to be gang members.

For the first time on Wednesday, the police indicated that the dead youth might have been involved in gang activity himself. He was chased by a group of youths with choppers and hacked to death in the main foyer of the Downtown East entertainment hub between 5.30pm and 5.37pm on Oct 30. In a statement, the police said that investigations into the incident have shown that the murder was connected to 'gang-related disputes involving the deceased, victims and assailants'.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of the Straits Times.

 

[Red 5]

6 suspects arrested


Nov 11, 2010

BUKIT PANJANG GANG ATTACK
6 suspects arrested

Seven youths were repeatedly slashed by a group of parang-wielding men in Bukit Panjang. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

SIX youths were arrested on Wednesday over two cases of armed rioting in Bukit Panjang on Monday. Aged between 15 and 23, they were rounded up in a 24-hour swoop by officers from the Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Jurong Police Division. The six are believed to be behind the attacks which left seven youths injured.

At about 10pm on Monday, a group armed with parangs and choppers first attacked a 20-year-old man at Block 418, Fajar Road. The group is believed to have then attacked six teenage boys at Block 505, Jelapang Road. The 20-year-old is in hospital with injuries to his legs and back, while the others needed treatment.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of the Straits Times.

 

[Red 5]

'No excuse, no leniency'


Nov 11, 2010

CRACKDOWN ON YOUTH GANGS
'No excuse, no leniency'

A bloodied pathway in Bukit Panjang where a knife attack occurred. -- PHOTO: WANBAO

CRIMINAL Investigation Department director Ng Boon Gay has warned that all gang behaviour would be dealt with firmly and decisively. Offenders will face the full brunt of the law, including the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, which allows for detention without trial, Mr Ng said.

'Youth offenders involved in violent crimes must be warned that they will not be treated lightly simply because of their age,' he said in a statement on Wednesday. 'There is no excuse for violence and no leniency for those who disregard the law.'

Action will also be taken against those who turn up at the courts in force as a show of support for their fellow gangsters, police further warned.

The warnings came after six youths were arrested over two cases of armed rioting in Bukit Panjang in a 24-hour swoop by CID officers. The group is believed to have attacked seven people, including a 20-year-old who is in hospital with cuts to both legs that hit bone.

On Wednesday, 19 youths turned up in court to support a suspect who was charged in connection with the murder of a Republic Polytechnic student in Downtown East. The 19, aged between 17 and 22 years, were arrested and are believed to be gang members.

 

[Red 5]

Attack was gang-related


Nov 11, 2010

DOWNTOWN EAST MURDER
Attack was gang-related

-- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

INVESTIGATIONS into the Downtown East incident where a polytechnic student was killed have shown that the murder was connected to 'gang-related disputes' involving the fatally-stabbed teen, other victims and assailants, said police.

Initial media reports which said the murder arose from a 'staring incident' were unfounded, the police pointed out in a statement on Wednesday.
Republic Polytechnic student Darren Ng was chased by a group of youths with choppers and hacked to death in the main foyer of the Downtown East entertainment hub between 5.30pm and 5.37pm on Oct 30.

On Wednesday, a fifth person was charged with causing Darren's death. Nineteen youths who turned up to support the accused in a district court also ended up being arrested. The police warned that gang behaviour would be dealt with firmly and decisively, and that included acting against those who turn up in force at the courts as a show of support for fellow gangsters.

Readers of The Straits Times have expressed concern on Wednesday over the recent youth gang attacks, including Monday's incident at Bukit Panjang where seven youths were slashed by parang-wielding attackers. On The Straits Times' Facebook page and discussion boards, many called for more to be done to crack down on gang-related activities in Singapore.

 

[Red 5]

6 more suspects nabbed


Nov 11, 2010

BUKIT PANJANG GANG ATTACKS
6 more suspects nabbed

Youths hanging out at the hard courts near the area where the fight took place. -- ST PHOTO: SAMUEL HE

POLICE have arrested six more suspects in connection with the two cases of armed rioting at Bukit Panjang housing estate on Nov 8. The suspects, aged 19 to 25 years, were rounded up by CID officers in successive raids at Balestier and Bukit Batok early on Thursday. The latest arrests bring to 12 the number of suspects who have been detained for suspected involvement in gang-related activities. Police investigations are on-going.

Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Ng Boon Gay said: 'We understand residents' concern arising from the attacks. We are working closely with the local MPs and grassroots leaders to address residents' concerns and will provide progressive updates on our investigations. '

On Wednesday, Mr Ng warned that all gang behaviour would be dealt with firmly and decisively. Offenders will face the full brunt of the law, including the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, which allows for detention without trial, Mr Ng said.

'Youth offenders involved in violent crimes must be warned that they will not be treated lightly simply because of their age,' he said in a statement on Wednesday. 'There is no excuse for violence and no leniency for those who disregard the law.'

Action will also be taken against those who turn up at the courts in force as a show of support for their fellow gangsters, police further warned. The warnings came after six youths were arrested over two cases of armed rioting in Bukit Panjang in a 24-hour swoop by CID officers.

 

[Ieyasu Tokugawa]

Judge asks for gang data


Nov 12, 2010

GANG-RELATED ATTACKS

Judge asks for gang data

Prosecution to produce data, suggest appropriate punishment for offender

By Khushwant Singh

The recent spate of gang attacks has led to a judge asking for statistics to show whether such crimes are on the rise when preparing to sentence a young man over a group attack. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

A JUDGE preparing to sentence a young man over a group attack on Thursday asked for statistics to show whether such crimes are on the rise - in a sign that the courts are taking a dim view of the recent spate of youth violence. District Judge Ronald Gwee also told the prosecution to prepare arguments on the type of punishment he should receive.

This may mean it will ask the court to hand down a stiff penalty as a deterrent to would-be offenders. The judge made the comments after Aminurrashid Johana, 21, pleaded guilty to being a member of an unlawful assembly that attacked a 20-year-old man in Downtown East in June.

The case is not related to the recent string of violent incidents, including the murder of student Darren Ng, 19, on Oct 30, also in Downtown East. The June incident was far less serious than the attack on Darren and was not gang-related. But Judge Gwee said in the light of the media attention generated by 'recent events', the prosecution should provide figures to show if such offences are increasing.

[email protected]
Read the full story in Friday's edition of the Straits Times.

 

[Ieyasu Tokugawa]

MPs to raise gang issue


Nov 12, 2010

GANG-RELATED ATTACKS

MPs to raise gang issue

THE apparent gang involvement behind the Bukit Panjang slashings and the Oct 30 murder of 19-year-old Darren Ng has raised concern among MPs. Mr Alvin Yeo, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Law, intends to raise the issue of gangs in the next parliamentary sitting, to be held later this month.

He said: 'Two such incidents have happened, so close to each other and with serious consequences. We will try and get a sense of how the authorities view the situation, how widespread the problem is, what measures are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and bring the problem under control.' He added that several MPs will also be raising parliamentary questions on the issue of gangs in the upcoming sitting.

JALELAH ABU BAKER

 

[Guan Ping]

Police arrest 3 more Bukit Panjang rioting suspects


Police arrest 3 more Bukit Panjang rioting suspects
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 12 November 2010 1701 hrs
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</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="update" height="80" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" height="15" type="image" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Knives believed to have been used during the attacks (photo: SPF) </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
SINGAPORE: Police have arrested another three male suspects, aged between 19 and 49 years old, in connection with the two cases of armed rioting which occurred at Bukit Panjang housing estate on Monday.

The latest arrests on Friday included the driver of the getaway vehicle and two key suspects who had played an active role in the attacks.

Police have also recovered 13 knives that were believed to have been used during the attacks.

Since the attack, the police have arrested a total of 15 suspects.

The arrested persons are currently under investigation.

Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Ng Boon Gay said the police would continue investigation until all those who were involved in the attacks have been brought to justice.

He said the police are taking a tough stance on this and would ensure those who blatantly disregard the law are dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.

-CNA/wk

 

[Guan Ping]

Thirteen knives that were believed to have been used during the attacks were recovered.
-- PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
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[Maeda Keiji]

6 likely to be held under CL


Nov 16, 2010

YOUTH VIOLENCE
6 likely to be held under CL

By Lai Han-Wei

-- ST PHOTO

THE six suspects in the Bukit Panjang slashing attacks are likely to face detention without trial, a police spokesman told straitstimes.com on Tuesday morning. In response to a report in The New Paper on Tuesday, which said the six are being 'processed for detention under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act,' a police spokesman confirmed that this was being looked into.

The Act has largely been used to deal with organised crime syndicates and Secret Societies, which once plagued Singapore. Presently, there are 196 being detained under this act for gang-related activities. In all, 16 suspects aged between 19 and 49 were arrested in connection with the two cases of armed rioting in Bukit Panjang, with 10 released on bail pending investigation, the police said.

Seven people were injured in the slashing incident on Nov 8, which sparked concerns over gang resurgence in Singapore. An apparently innocent victim, Mr Jayasiva Shangar Guru, 20, was slashed in the legs in last week's parang attack, and faces weeks of physiotherapy.

 

[Cigar Guy]

Psychiatric test for trio


Nov 16, 2010

DOWNTOWN EAST MURDER

Psychiatric test for trio

By Khushwant Singh

THREE of the five suspects believed to be involved in the Oct 30 murder of polytechnic student Darren Ng, 19, were ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluataion in Changi Medical Complex.

They are Chen Wei Zhen, 19, Ho Wui Ming, 20, and Tang Jia Min, 21. A fourth suspect, Louis Tong Qing Yao, 17, the youngest of the group, was ordered to be remanded in the Central police division for two more weeks to assist police recover the murder weapons, track down accomplices and complete investigations. Tong also faces three loan-shark harassment charges.

The fifth suspect, Edward Tay Wei Loong, 18, is currently recovering in hospital after injuring himself while trying to evade arrest. His case will come up for mention next Tuesday while the case for the rest will be heard on Dec 7.

Lawyers Subhas Anandan and Sunil Sudheesan told reporters that Tay has been moved out of the intensive care ward. 'He is conscious and police have allowed him to talk to his parents over the phone a few days ago,' said Mr Sudheesan.

The five suspects are believed to be among a group of youths with choppers that hacked Darren to death in the main foyer of the Downtown East entertainment hub between 5.30pm and 5.37pm on Oct 30. Police have determined that it was a gang-related dispute.

 

[Cigar Guy]

More powers for police?


Nov 16, 2010

CRACKDOWN ON YOUTH VIOLENCE

More powers for police?

By Mavis Toh

Police officers carrying out investigations at a soccer court in Bukit Panjang where a knife attack occurred. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

THE Government is looking to see if laws need to be tweaked to give police more powers and sentencing options to deal with youth gangs. At a press briefing on Tuesday, Minister of State for Education and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifi said he is reviewing whether there is a need to make current legislation more relevant to deal with youth gangs, and whether existing police powers need to be modified.

Mr Masagos, who took over the National Committee on Youth Guidance and Rehabilitation this month, said he is also relooking existing measures and programmes for youths at risks, to see if they have been effective and whether changes need to be made.

He added that even with programmes targeted at these youths, there will always be a group in society who will take more time to change. More intensified mentoring and customised case management will then be needed for these youths. But he added that to ensure children get back on the right track, family support is critical.