Police beef up security in hot spots ahead of Christmas

The National Police are strengthening their forces nationwide, especially in conflict-prone areas, in a bid to be prepared to act against terror activities prior to, and during, the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“Central Sulawesi Police have been told specifically to increase their vigilance to deal with potential disputes and clashes among residents,” the province’s Governor Longky Djanggola said on Thursday, citing calls from National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo.

Central Sulawesi Police alone will deploy 1,970 personnel from various units during its year-end operation.

Nationwide, the police will deploy 83,457 officers, 18,000 of them from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and related institutions, during the Dec. 23-Jan. 1 operation.

Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Dewa Parsana said the personnel would be tasked with securing churches and public places used for Christmas prayer services.

“There are around 1,400 churches in the province, which will receive protection,” he said, adding that the operation would also focus on securing vital locations, such as airports and seaports as well as entertainment centers.

Dewa named Palu city, Poso, Morowali, Buol, Sigi and Donggala as areas that needed extra protection. On Monday, police found a bomb near the Babiu traditional market.

On Christmas Eve 2000, Indonesia was rocked by a series of church bombings in numerous cities, including Bandung and Medan. Sixteen people died, while 96 others were injured in the attacks.

Since then, several areas, including Poso, have become targets of bombings around Christmas time.

In South and West Sulawesi provinces, at least 5,400 joint security personnel will be deployed to safeguard the holiday festivities.

South Sulawesi Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Chevy Ahmad Sopari said the police would also focus on churches and public places, including the province’s border areas.

“We wish to create a safe environment so that Christian congregations can celebrate Christmas peacefully,” he said.

In Medan, North Sumatra, at least 12,000 police personnel, in addition to 1,988 joint forces from the TNI and officers from local public order and transportation agencies, will be part of the operation.

“I have urged police personnel in the operation to use humane approaches. Enforcement will be the final measure,” said North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Wisjnu Amat Sastro.

“We will focus on securing places of worship. There are 944 churches that we must protect, from Medan to areas bordering Aceh and Riau [provinces], which are target areas for security,” he said.

Apriadi Gunawan contributed to the article from Medan