In response to media queries, the Police would like to highlight that Police’s priority is to ensure public safety and maintain law and order. The Thaipusam foot procession presents unique challenges in maintaining law and order. It draws about 10,000 devotees each year, who walk for more than three km through the heart of the city. The event stretches over 26 hours, with thousands of supporters and onlookers lining the route and walking with the devotees.
The Police’s approach is to strike a balance between facilitating the procession and ensuring law and order. The actions of a few individuals can easily disrupt the event and risk the safety of other devotees and the public. There are videos online which capture this. Rules are therefore in place to maintain law and order and public safety, and minimise inconveniences caused to the general public.
One such rule is the restriction on playing of musical instruments along the procession route. This was introduced in 1973 because of a history of rivalry and fights between competing groups that disrupted the procession. Nevertheless, since 2012, the Police have worked with the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) to allow for the transmission of music at designated points, while at the same time ensuring that the procession continues to be peaceful and orderly.
Arising from feedback gathered by the HEB on the importance of religious music to devotees participating in Thaipusam, the Police have agreed to the addition of another seven music points for Thaipusam 2016. This will include four music transmission points and three “live†music instrument points. Other improvements include resting bays and a dedicated lane for women and children devotees along Clemenceau Avenue.
The Police will continue to work closely with the HEB to ensure that Thaipusam takes place in a peaceful manner that protects the safety of devotees, participants and the general public, and preserves law and order.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
02 December 2015 @ 10:30 AM