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Man who slashed NEA enforcement officer with sickle charged

The sickle allegedly used in the offence. (PHOTO: Singapore Police Force)
The sickle allegedly used in the offence. (PHOTO: Singapore Police Force)

SINGAPORE — A man accused of slashing a National Environment Agency (NEA) enforcement officer with a sickle was charged on Wednesday (11 November).

Vickneswaran Sivan, 30, is said to have slashed the back of the officer’s calves on 9 November, at about 7.40pm at Block 503C Canberra Link, while the officer was performing enforcement duties. Vickneswaran was charged with one count of voluntarily causing hurt by means of a weapon.

Vickneswaran is also said to have punched a second NEA enforcement officer in the face at around the same time before fleeing. The two men were Certis officers, who are enforcement officers attached to the NEA.

According to a joint statement from the NEA and Certis, the two officers were on duty to “ensure the well-being of the residents by enforcing against public health offences, such as littering and smoking.”

Vickneswaran was not involved in the smoking enforcement action but was present.

The two officers were later conveyed to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital conscious. One is currently recovering in hospital and in a stable condition, while the other received outpatient treatment.

Police officers established Vickneswaran’s identity with aid of police cameras. They also seized a bloodstained sickle - found near the scene of the alleged offence - believed to have been used in the assault.

Vickneswaran is out on bail and will return to court on 9 December.

If convicted, he can be jailed up to seven years, or fined, or caned, or any combination of the penalties.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the police said, “The police have zero tolerance towards such brazen acts of violence which threatens the safety of public servants who are carrying out their duties. The police will not hesitate to take action against those who blatantly disregard the law.”

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