India is sending a senior official from the External Affairs Ministry to Singapore in the wake of sentencing of one of its nationals for riots triggered by the death of a compatriot in an accident.
Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) in the MEA, will be travelling to Singapore soon to discuss bilateral issues, including the incident of riots in 'Little India' area, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters here.
The visit has been decided in the wake of sentencing of Chinnappa Vijayaragunatha Poopathi by Singapore Supreme Court yesterday on charge of "continuing to be in an assembly after it had been ordered to disperse" under Section 151 of the Penal Code.
"We are in constant contact with the Singapore side to ensure that all Indian nationals charged are provided the due process of law and legal assistance," Akbaruddin said.
32-year-old Poopathi, part of 25 compatriots charged with involvement in Singapore's worst riot in 40 years, yesterday became the first person to be sentenced in the case for which he will serve 15 weeks in jail.
The construction worker had pleaded guilty on Friday to an amended charge of failing to disperse during the 'Little India' riot on December 8 last year.
It was believed to be the first time that Section 151 has been invoked in Singapore, Channel News Asia reported.
The trouble had started after a private bus fatally knocked down an Indian pedestrian in Little India.
Akbaruddin said the government of India is also aware of the report of the Attorney General of Singapore today on the accident leading to the death of Indian national Sakthivel Kumaravelu on December 8 last year in 'Little India' area in Singapore.
"We are in contact with the Singapore side to ensure that the facts of the case are fully investigated and due action is taken," he said.
