No alcohol consumption at Little India during Thaipusam

Police have said they will enforce the alcohol ban ruling at Little India during Thaipusam, which falls on Friday, January 17.

Since Thaipusam falls on a day before the no-alcohol weekend, police said the rule will take effect from 6pm on Thursday, January 16 to 6am on Monday, January 20.

As large crowds are expected at Little India where a procession will pass through, the Public Order (Preservation) Act (POPA) proclamation will be in effect in the area, said the police.

The proclamation will cover the same area as previous proclamations since December 2013.

The police said the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) and the Little India Shopkeepers & Heritage Association (LISHA) were consulted and they support the proclamation and measures to facilitate the smooth conduct of the procession.

The police will strictly enforce the ban against public consumption of alcohol, and will seize alcohol being consumed within the proclaimed area.

In addition, shops holding retail and wholesale licences can only sell alcohol from 6am to 8pm daily during the stipulated period.

Shops holding public house and beer house licences can continue to sell the various types of alcohol as permitted by their respective licences during this period, but consumption must be within their premises.

The police will continue with their enforcement checks to ensure that the outlets comply with the restrictions.

The annual Thaipusam procession will begin on Thursday 11pm through Friday 11.59pm.

The procession will begin at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road and end at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road.

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