NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION FROM BOON TECK ROAD TO SERANGOON ROAD (Details of police services)

Mr Wong Soon Fong asked the Minister for Home Affairs on each day between 11th and 13th March, 1963, how many radio patrol cars, riot-squad vans and armed policemen and policewomen were sent to ensure the carrying out of construction of a new road starting from Boon Teck Road, by-passing Potong Pa-sir and joining Serangoon Road.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, the information asked for is as follows:-

On 11th March, 1963, when it became apparent that trouble makers in the Toa Payoh area were inciting the people there to prevent the roadwork from being carried out, it was necessary to send a detachment of 15 men to the scene. In the course of the day, a radio patrol car and a divisional patrol car paid periodic visits to the scene.

On 12th March, 1963, when the trouble-makers tried to inflame the people to violent action, it was necessary to send a detachment of police consisting of 23 men and to station in readiness near the scene one Reserve Unit troop consisting of 45 men. Four women police constables were also on the scene to deal with the women folk involved in the disturbances, and in the course of the day, visits were also paid by one radio patrol car and one divisional patrol car.

On 13th March, 1963, as a precaution against the possible outbreak of trouble, a police detachment consisting of 23 men was sent to the scene in the morning together with five women police constables. In the course of the day, visits were paid by one radio patrol car and one divisional patrol car.