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- Feb 12, 2009
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The recent Gang-Rape Cases in India has brought into the fore the vulnerability of ladies there and the manner in which the Police handle such cases.
It also scrutinized the role of the Judiciary in handing out stiff penalties to the offenders that stand accused before it. Long back-log of cases also played a pivotal role along with Corruption that has been part and parcel of independent India since the final days of the British Raj. So rampant is corruption to these day that its very presence has led to the Rape of Justice itself.
The booming Indian film industry in Madras (Chennai) and Bombay (Bollywood) which shows scenes of rape may also have contributed to such gross violence against helpless ladies, who can also be wives, sisters and mothers to some people. To certain people, such scenes of violence against women-folk may be a factor that could lead to sexual arousal and later finding an easy way to release such gratification. This becomes more lethal after downing "one a drink too many and possible indulgence in other intoxicants".
Our beloved Singapore too had it's share of such cases complete with violence.
Let me bring you back to a time in Sembawang Village in the late 60's. It was a rainy night and the wind was howling. Four ruffians were on the prowl.
They were drunk and could also possibly have taken drugs that was easily obtainable in the dimly-lit bars of Sembawang 14 milestones that was patronised by drunken British sailors and members of the US Navy who were here on their R&R from Vietnam.These drunks went on a rampage and chose a village clinic that was opened for 24 hours catering to the kampong folks. They held up two nurses (a married women and a young virgo-intacta) and robbed these victims of their personal and later physical possessions by holding them against their will and in the absence of consent. They took turns to rape them. Both women were brutally attacked repeatedly right up to the wee hours of the morning. The victims were subjected to much distress and pain. The younger lady suffered from much injuries and was later hospitalised.
The local police were alerted and mounted a man-hunt by seeking out the suspects from the British quarters within the sprawling Naval Base and also from the kampongs outside it.
The old Chong Pang Village Police Sub-station (now demolished) became the nerve centre for the police action against the suspects.
When Singaporeans came to know of the case, there was much uproar, anger and disbelief.
The dedicated team of police officers spared no efforts and left no leaves unturned in their quest for the suspects who were finally rounded up and taken into custody.
Those were the days before the advent of DNA but the investigating collected items of evidential value - both physical and medical. They made a strong case against the suspects and charged them in Court with the most serious charge - Gang-Rape.
The four suspects were arraigned before the late Justice Choor Singh and the trial was a lengthy one during which time there were moments of climax in the court-room, especially when a suspect threw his slippers at the presiding Judge.
At the end of the day, the four "animals" were convicted and subjected to long custodial sentences. Wonder whether any of them is still around!!!
I still recall, the Learned Judge telling a very "quiet and well-behaved" suspect, "on the night of the attack you were as fierce as a lion but today you stand before me as meek as a lamb".
At that time many a book (from True Police Files) were written by the late Alex Josey. I don't remember reading any such book.
What I am stating here is a recall of my memory that has of late become quite erratic.
It happened in in this very tiny red dot 50 over years ago. It was a "Night That Stood Still" for two young and innocent women.
So, please take this humble write-up as a Page from The Past" and something nostalgic. I hope it may bring back memories of the physical environment of Singapore that has long gone along with names like Chong Pang Road, Lorong Kasemek, Genista Lane, Huang Long Road, Lorong Maha, Sum Wah Chee Drive, Jalan Kedai, Canberra Road and Madras Road. Cinemas like the Sultan, Naval Base and Kindol. Schools like Westhill and so on so forth.
It also scrutinized the role of the Judiciary in handing out stiff penalties to the offenders that stand accused before it. Long back-log of cases also played a pivotal role along with Corruption that has been part and parcel of independent India since the final days of the British Raj. So rampant is corruption to these day that its very presence has led to the Rape of Justice itself.
The booming Indian film industry in Madras (Chennai) and Bombay (Bollywood) which shows scenes of rape may also have contributed to such gross violence against helpless ladies, who can also be wives, sisters and mothers to some people. To certain people, such scenes of violence against women-folk may be a factor that could lead to sexual arousal and later finding an easy way to release such gratification. This becomes more lethal after downing "one a drink too many and possible indulgence in other intoxicants".
Our beloved Singapore too had it's share of such cases complete with violence.
Let me bring you back to a time in Sembawang Village in the late 60's. It was a rainy night and the wind was howling. Four ruffians were on the prowl.
They were drunk and could also possibly have taken drugs that was easily obtainable in the dimly-lit bars of Sembawang 14 milestones that was patronised by drunken British sailors and members of the US Navy who were here on their R&R from Vietnam.These drunks went on a rampage and chose a village clinic that was opened for 24 hours catering to the kampong folks. They held up two nurses (a married women and a young virgo-intacta) and robbed these victims of their personal and later physical possessions by holding them against their will and in the absence of consent. They took turns to rape them. Both women were brutally attacked repeatedly right up to the wee hours of the morning. The victims were subjected to much distress and pain. The younger lady suffered from much injuries and was later hospitalised.
The local police were alerted and mounted a man-hunt by seeking out the suspects from the British quarters within the sprawling Naval Base and also from the kampongs outside it.
The old Chong Pang Village Police Sub-station (now demolished) became the nerve centre for the police action against the suspects.
When Singaporeans came to know of the case, there was much uproar, anger and disbelief.
The dedicated team of police officers spared no efforts and left no leaves unturned in their quest for the suspects who were finally rounded up and taken into custody.
Those were the days before the advent of DNA but the investigating collected items of evidential value - both physical and medical. They made a strong case against the suspects and charged them in Court with the most serious charge - Gang-Rape.
The four suspects were arraigned before the late Justice Choor Singh and the trial was a lengthy one during which time there were moments of climax in the court-room, especially when a suspect threw his slippers at the presiding Judge.
At the end of the day, the four "animals" were convicted and subjected to long custodial sentences. Wonder whether any of them is still around!!!
I still recall, the Learned Judge telling a very "quiet and well-behaved" suspect, "on the night of the attack you were as fierce as a lion but today you stand before me as meek as a lamb".
At that time many a book (from True Police Files) were written by the late Alex Josey. I don't remember reading any such book.
What I am stating here is a recall of my memory that has of late become quite erratic.
It happened in in this very tiny red dot 50 over years ago. It was a "Night That Stood Still" for two young and innocent women.
So, please take this humble write-up as a Page from The Past" and something nostalgic. I hope it may bring back memories of the physical environment of Singapore that has long gone along with names like Chong Pang Road, Lorong Kasemek, Genista Lane, Huang Long Road, Lorong Maha, Sum Wah Chee Drive, Jalan Kedai, Canberra Road and Madras Road. Cinemas like the Sultan, Naval Base and Kindol. Schools like Westhill and so on so forth.
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