Singapore government appoints inquiry committee to probe Little India riots

The Singapore government on Friday appointed a committee of inquiry (COI) to investigate last week's riots in Little India, the worst social unrest since 1969, a media report citing an official statement said.

Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean Friday appointed the COI to inquire into the cause of the Little India riot Dec 8, the Today Online reported Friday.

The four-member committee is expected to submit its report to the ministry within six months.

G Pannir Selvam, former judge of the Supreme Court of Singapore, has been appointed the committee chairman.

Other members are former commissioner of police Tee Tua Ba, former president of the Singapore National Trades Union Congress John De Pavya and chairman of the West Coast Citizens' Consultative Committee Andrew Chua Thiam Chwee.

The unrest was sparked after the accidental road death last Sunday night of a 33-year-old Indian national, which led to rioting in the Little India area by about 400 people who had been on a day off.

Police have charged 31 foreign workers, mostly Indians, with rioting.