Riot Breaks Out in Today's Rally; Police Arrest 500 People
Translator
Dewi Elvia Muthiariny
Editor
Laila Afifa
Selasa, 13 Oktober 2020 22:17 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police Chief Insp. Gen. Nana Sudjana said at least 500 people have been arrested as a riot broke out in the rally against the Omnibus Law on Job Creation today, October 13. They were identified as members of anarchist groups.
“Until now, we have detained around 500 people, including those in regions,” said Nana when met amid the security measure in front of Bank BNI Bus Stop, Central Jakarta.
According to the Jakarta police chief, the anarchist groups mostly consisted of students. At least 600 people, he said, also tried to make provocations in front of Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue.
“In the beginning, we did not get provoked, but they kept throwing stones, so we pushed them back and arrested them,” Nana added.
Tempo observed in the location that the rally turned into a riot after 4 p.m. At that time, the command truck belonged to the National Anti-Communist Alliance (Anak NKRI) had left the area, followed by their people who donned white clothes.
Yet a crowd of student-age people remained in the location and started to pelt the officers with stones. About 15 minutes later, the police tried to disperse the mass by firing tear gas. Until around 5.30 p.m. the mass was pushed back to Tugu Tani areas.
Read: Police Allegedly Attacked by Acid during 1310 Anti-Omnibus Law Rally
WINTANG WARASTRI | MARTHA WARTA
