- Singapore Minister K Shanmugam condemns racist remarks online.
- Comments targeted Indians, linked to Nepal flood disaster.
- Police investigating; social media platforms to remove content.
Singapore senior minister K Shanmugam has condemned online racist and xenophobic remarks against India, calling them shameful, nasty and totally unacceptable. He added that the police were investigating the comments, which were posted online in connection with the China-Nepal disaster.
Shanmugam, who also holds the home department in the country along with the national security portfolio, said, "The media tells me that they had to remove several comments because they were so nasty. I don’t know if all the comments are all made by Singaporeans. But I will say this – the comments are shameful, nasty, totally unacceptable."
"I have asked police to look into these comments," Shanmugam added. He added that the Ministry of Digital Development and Information will approach the social media platforms for the removal of such comments as they violate the guidelines.
The controversy stemmed from social media discussion around the Nepal floods, including the fate of Singaporeans reported missing in the affected areas. The Singapore minister cited remarks like 'no, they are not our own', he also noted some comments that were derogatory towards the Indian people.
Recommended For You
Nepal is dealing with the challenges of the aftermath of devastating floods that claimed the lives of over 1,300 people while thousands remain missing.
On August 26, an ice-rock avalanche triggered a massive flow of water and debris, which then travelled through the Bhotekoshi River, destroying several settlements in northern and central parts of the country. Houses, marketplaces, schools, and roads, among others, were key infrastructure that were wiped out, while several hydropower plants and projects were destroyed.
Apart from rescue efforts, one of the biggest challenges lies in the identification process as bodies have severely decomposed.
ALSO READ: Nepal Floods: Chinese Man Rescued After Being Trapped Inside Hydropower Tunnel For 11 Days
Nepal Police has started collecting DNA samples from relatives of missing people to help identify unclaimed bodies and human remains.