Three arrested at Thaipusam procession yesterday
SINGAPORE — Three Singaporean men were arrested at the Thaipusam procession yesterday (Feb 3), said the police on Facebook today (Feb 4).
SINGAPORE — Three Singaporean men were arrested at the Thaipusam procession yesterday (Feb 3), said the police on Facebook today (Feb 4).
At about 6.50pm yesterday, Thaipusam organisers requested a group of people to stop playing drums at the junction of Serangoon Road and Desker Road as it contravened the conditions of the police permit for the event. However, the group was not cooperative and the police were called in.
As police officers were speaking to the group, a 33-year-old man from another group came forward and confronted the police officers in a rowdy manner. He was later arrested after he persisted with his disorderly behaviour, despite numerous warnings to calm down.
As one of the officers was effecting the arrest of the man, another two men – aged 32 and 38 – came forward to try and stop the arrest. The 32-year-old man assaulted three police officers during this process.
All three men used vulgarities against the officers and were believed to have been drinking earlier as they smelt strongly of alcohol.
An injured police officer was conveyed conscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and is in stable condition.
Police investigations into the three men are ongoing.
Since 1973, musical instruments have been prohibited during processions. The police disallowed the use of music during processions to deter public disorder which may be caused by rivalries between groups and to minimise the impact of the procession along the procession route.