SINGAPORE: Singapore police have withdrawn the charges against seven of the 35 Indian nationals charged with rioting in Little India on December 8.
The other 28 remain charged with rioting.
They are accused of playing an active role in the incident on December 8.
At a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, police also said they rounded up an additional 53 people on Tuesday morning.
They comprise 52 Indian nationals and one Bangladeshi national.
Chairing the news conference, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the 53 people were identified to have taken part in the riot, and to have failed to obey police orders to disperse.
Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister, said the response of the 53 people makes their continued presence in Singapore "undesirable".
Those workers will be repatriated once outstanding matters such as the issuance of their salary and other administrative matters have been settled.
During this period, the Indian and Bangladeshi High Commissions have full consular access to these individuals.
Some 200 other South Asian workers who were also present at the scene will be issued police advisories.
No further actions will be taken against them -- they will be allowed to stay on to work as police have determined their involvement at the riot to be "relatively passive".
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/7-acquitted-of-little/925418.html
The other 28 remain charged with rioting.
They are accused of playing an active role in the incident on December 8.
At a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, police also said they rounded up an additional 53 people on Tuesday morning.
They comprise 52 Indian nationals and one Bangladeshi national.
Chairing the news conference, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the 53 people were identified to have taken part in the riot, and to have failed to obey police orders to disperse.
Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister, said the response of the 53 people makes their continued presence in Singapore "undesirable".
Those workers will be repatriated once outstanding matters such as the issuance of their salary and other administrative matters have been settled.
During this period, the Indian and Bangladeshi High Commissions have full consular access to these individuals.
Some 200 other South Asian workers who were also present at the scene will be issued police advisories.
No further actions will be taken against them -- they will be allowed to stay on to work as police have determined their involvement at the riot to be "relatively passive".
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/7-acquitted-of-little/925418.html
But not surprise to see them back with a new name in the new passport 
