Past riots in Singapore

Police battle mobs in Singapore, circa 1955: Police strive to hold a fierce crowd in check as strike riots organised by the Communists raged in Singapore for the second day, killing three persons -- including Gene Symonds, United Press manager for Southeast Asia -- and injuring a score of others. Police were authorized to shoot if their lives were endangered, and a police tommy gunner opened fire when a rioter grabbed another policeman's pistol and started shooting. In most cases, tear gas, clubs and fire hoses sufficed to disperse the attacking mobs.

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1964 Race Riots: Police rush in to break up a fight between Chinese and Malayan residents of Singapore during a clash in the downtown area. The riot started when Malays attending a Moslem procession suddenly turn on Chinese passersby. A four-day riot, which started on July 1, has finally been quieted. The headquarters of the Malaysian Royal Police announced that the casualty figures as 19 dead, 451 injured, and 1,463 arrested. - photographed: July 22-25, 1964.

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Police break up student rioting, November 11, 1965: Singapore police fire tear gas in an attempt to break up a group of student demonstrators trying to march on the city hall. Most of the protesters were those dismissed by a university for taking part in rowdy demonstrations against proposed changes in their academic curriculum.

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