Police Lobs Teargas to Protesters against Santa Clara Church
24 March 2017 19:12 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Bekasi - A protest launched by the Bekasi Muslim Society Forum against the construction of the Santa Clara Church turned into a riot on Friday, March 24, 2017, as police used forces to disperse protesters.
Bekasi Precinct Police and North Bekasi Sub-precinct Police officers had to lob tear gas towards protesters for attempting to breach the church construction site. Protesters who formed a barricade and police officers pushed each other at 2:15 PM Western Indonesia Time.
An orator standing on top of a command car said that his organization rejected the church since it is constructed without proper permit.
"We will disperse if the government revokes the church construction permit," the orator said on Friday, March 24, 2017, in Bekasi.
Soon after, police shot tear gas dispersing masses away from the location. However, the continued the protest and returned to the construction site.
Until 3:30 PM, the protesters continue to defend their ground in front of the church. They also conducted a mass afternoon prayer. Meanwhile, police personnel stood guard.
Imran Nasution, secretary of religious institution Asy-Syam in Bekasi, revealed that the protest was launched due to an allegation of irregular permit application process, "such as signature forgery."
According to Imran, Muslim leaders in Bekasi had reminded Bekasi mayor Rahmat Effendi about irregularities in the permit process.
"However, the Mayor ignored it and he issued the church construction permit," Imran said.
ADI WARSONO