Alcohol ban in 'Little India' sparks anger
RIGHTS ACTIVISTS and opposition politicians yesterday slammed an alcohol ban imposed by the Singapore government in a district hit by rioting last weekend.
The ban will take effect today in Little India,which saw the citystate's worst civil unrest in decades last Sunday.
Hundreds of migrant workers from India and set fire to vehicles after an Indian labourer was hit by a bus and died.
But criti say the ban amounts to an" alcohol apartheid" and have expressed concern that the government may extend it in the future.
Government ministers"are conveniently suggesting that alcohol consumption is to blame for the riot rather than looking to their own failed immigration and labour policies," said Kenneth Jeyaretnam,leader of the opposition Reform Party.
" Statements such as these also carry the subliminal message that Indians are somehow more likely to abuse alcohol and become violent than other groups. "
He added that expats of many ntionalities have been involved by alcohol.
Humn rights ativists also expressed conern at the blanket ban on alcohol sales,in an area that on Sunday is packed with migrant workers from South India enjoying their weekly day off. "One wonders whether this is a temporary measure or whether it will become a permanent regulatory restriction that targets a particular area that is overwhelmingly occupied by one ethnic group," Phil Robertson,Human Rights Watch deputy director for Asia,said.