In an incident that took place on Tuesday (July 18) at a residential unit in Farrer Park, two women aged 47 and 49 got involved in a heated dispute that escalated into a violent altercation, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The confrontation involved the hurling of items at each other and attracted the attention of onlookers in the neighborhood before the police were called in and the women were arrested.

Fight until throw things

The dispute between the two women began at approximately 8:00 PM at 23B Sing Avenue, as reported by an eyewitness to the incident. The sound of their argument echoed from the residential unit, drawing attention from neighbors nearby.

As the quarrel continued, things took a more violent turn. Witnesses reported hearing the sounds of objects being thrown around during the fight.

The situation grew increasingly noisy and chaotic, capturing the curiosity of the residents in the vicinity. The eyewitness account described the two women as having Chinese accents, indicating their background.

At 10:40 PM, concerned individuals contacted the police to intervene in the escalating altercation. Responding promptly, a total of four police cars and an ambulance arrived at the scene to address the situation.

The officers attempted to mediate between the disputing women, but their efforts were met with fierce resistance.

Despite the police’s presence, the two women persisted in their argument, refusing to cooperate with the authorities. The situation remained tense, and the police were left with no choice but to maintain a presence until midnight.

According to reports from Shin Min Daily News, the argument between the women was purportedly triggered by feelings of jealousy. Further details regarding the source of jealousy were not disclosed in the initial reports.

In response to the altercation, the police took appropriate action. They arrested a 47-year-old woman for criminal intimidation and a 49-year-old woman for public nuisance. The police investigations into the matter are ongoing to determine the sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the dispute.

Both women involved in the altercation sustained minor injuries during the heated confrontation. However, despite their injuries, they declined medical assistance and refused to be taken to the hospital.

The altercation drew the attention of a group of onlookers who gathered downstairs to witness the commotion.

Popular, a well-known bookstore, has recently taken legal action against local online store Hashtag65Singapore for selling “Populist” t-shirts that allegedly infringe on their trademarks and logo.

In a Facebook post on July 21, Hashtag65Singapore shared a screenshot of the cease and desist letter they received from Popular’s solicitors. The post also confirmed that the online store will stop selling the controversial t-shirts in compliance with the request.

The Cease and Desist Letter

Dear Sirs,

“POPULIST” T SHIRTS SOLD BY THE HASHTAG65 WEBSITE

1. We are solicitors acting for Popular Book Company (Pte.) Limited.
2. As one of the best-known and cherished brands in Singapore, our client takes very seriously the protection of its intellectual property rights including its registered trade marks (copies of which are attached at Annex A) and its copyright works, as well as the very substantial goodwill it has built up over the years through use of its trade name POPULAR and its well-known logo.
3. It has come to our client’s attention that T shirts infringing our client’s rights are being sold on the Hashtag65 website for which you registered the domain name. Screenshots of the T shirts being advertised for sale on the Hashtag65 website, Instagram and Facebook account are attached at Annex B. The offering for sale and sale of these T shirts is likely to cause our client serious commercial harm, particularly amongst those who believe contrary to the fact that our client has endorsed or agreed to this use.
4. While our client is aware of the recent publicity surrounding use of the word POPULIST/S and has no wish to stop legitimate fun or comment, you will appreciate that it cannot allow this potentially damaging infringement of its rights to continue. We have advised that the way in which the T shirts use the word POPULIST in the same typeface as used for many years by our client for POPULAR, together with a logo that is similar to our client’s registered logo, constitutes passing off as well as trade mark infringement and copyright infringement. We set out below the sign used on the T shirt above our client’s registered trade mark:

Seller’s response

See lah, you guys. We are not endorsed or related to Popular Bookstore (or any other brands if you must know).

We will be stopping the sales of the T-Shirt very soon as requested.

Can’t we all have a better sense of humour?

P.S. We might have gotten served by Popular Bookstore but we will still buy our stationery with you guys because u are still popular to us.

Background of the “Populist” T-Shirts

A 36-year-old police officer was found dead at the foot of a HDB building at Block 393 Yishun Avenue 6 yesterday (21 July) afternoon at about 4.55pm.

The police said that they are not suspecting any foul play, but that they are aware about the deceased’s Facebook post on “challenges at work”.

Minister of Law and Home Affairs K. Shanmugam later issued a statement on his Facebook page about the deceased’s Facebook post about alleged racial discrimination in the Police Force and he has asked the police to investigate thoroughly to get to the bottom of things.

Singapore Police Force Statement

POLICE STATEMENT ON UNNATURAL DEATH OF POLICE OFFICER

On 21 July 2023 at about 4.55pm, the Police received a call for assistance at Block 393 Yishun Avenue 6. A 36-year-old man was found lying motionless at the foot of the said block and was conveyed unconscious to the hospital, where he subsequently passed away. The man was identified as a police officer.

Based on preliminary investigations, the Police do not suspect foul play. Police investigations are ongoing.

The Police were aware of the challenges at work which had been raised by the officer in his Facebook post, and we had extended various assistance to him.

We will be looking thoroughly and will investigate into all the issues he has raised in his post.

We are all deeply saddened by the passing of a colleague. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the officer and are assisting the family in their time of grief.

K. Shanmugam’s Facebook Statement

[Police officer dies under tragic circumstances]

A Police Officer, Uvaraja S/O Gopal has died under tragic circumstances. The cause of death is still under investigation.

He has put up a post, which amongst other things, says he faced racial discrimination in SPF. These and other allegations are serious.

I have asked SPF to investigate the matter thoroughly. We will get to the bottom of it. And be accountable.

We have a clear policy of non discrimination. All officers are entitled to be treated fairly. SPF as an organisation is committed to that principle. We will investigate the facts.

My deepest condolences to the family.