TEMPO.CO, Tangerang - Banten Police will set up 16 checkpoints and posts to block the roads into the region following the ban on this year's Eid homecoming or mudik which will take effect on May 6-17, 2021. The regional police spokesman Sr. Comr. Edy Sumardi said the road blocking will not only be applied in main roads but also rat runs, such as roads through rural areas and alternative roads.

“We will ensure that there will be no vehicle entering and leaving Banten,” said Edy on Thursday, April 22. The checkpoints in toll and main roads include Cikupa toll gate from Jakarta, Merak toll gate from Lampung and Jakarta, and the arterial roads of Gerbang Citra Raya, Pasar Kemis, Kronjo, Tigaraksa, Jayanti, Solear, Cisoka; Asem intersection, Pusri intersection, Gayam Pandeglang, Gerem, Gate of Merak Port, Bojonegara Port, Jasinga, and Cilograng.

All rat runs will also be blocked, and the police will set up posts in the area. “People are asked to not insist on going mudik. We will order them to return,” Edy said.

The joint personnel will not only ask private vehicles to go back but also other vehicles, he informed. Freight trucks carrying homecomers, for example, will be subject to sanctions. “The Transportation Agency has issued a circular that prohibits travel agent services from operating during the ban period.”

Additionally, state-owned ferry operator ASDP did not provide passenger tickets to Bakauheni, Lampung via Merak Port, Edy said.

The Banten Regional Police will deploy 1,600 security personnel for the Eid homecoming with the assistance of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Transportation Agency. Officers will check every vehicle passing at a number of checkpoints.

Read: Lombok Airport to Limit Flight Operations during Eid Homecoming Ban: Official

JONIANSYAH (CONTRIBUTOR)