Public order officers clash with Gorontalo residents over closures

Hundreds of public order officers, who were attempting to close down coffee shops in the South Leato seaside area in Gorontalo, clashed with local residents early Wednesday morning.

Residents had prepared to attack the officers, as they arrived in the location before dawn Wednesday, Antara state news agency reported

The residents pelted stones at the officers from a hill overlooking the seaside area.

At the time of writing, fighting had stopped, but residents were still crowding the area, keeping their distance from officers standing guard.

Residents were protesting at the closure of 17 coffee shops in the area, saying that Gorontalo City Mayor Adhan Dambea, who had approved the opening of the shops, was “emotional” in his decision to close the shops.

Adhan said the coffee shops had been used for “immoral activities” and should be closed.