Unlike other ethnic areas, Singapore’s Little India seems less interested in tourist kitsch and more interested in catering to the needs of the people who actually live there. That includes a large population of migrant workers employed in construction, road maintenance, gardening, etc., all brutal jobs in Singapore’s humidity.
In December, 2013, a riot broke out in Little India, the second riot in Singapore’s history. It was sparked by a traffic fatality involving a migrant worker. Apparently, the victim was intoxicated, as were most of the rioters. Even now, there are signs throughout Little India prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public places on evenings, weekends, and holidays. Needless to say, the authorities (who are trained by the Israeli military) put an end to the rioting with some efficiency.
