A

police official has said that 2,000 police officers and soldiers have been deployed to guard  Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Wednesday during International Workers' Day, which is commonly known as May Day.
'Our personnel will be on standby at the main gates and several other areas surrounding the airport, including the Rawa Bokor, Sadrudal complex and the FM7 toll gates,' airport police chief Sr. Comr. CH Patoppoi said as quoted by kompas.com.
He said groups of firefighters were also on alert to provide backup, if needed. He ensured that the police would not be aggressive in guarding the airport and its environs but, in return, he expected the workers to also behave appropriately.
Moreover, it was earlier reported that 5,000 workers from the People's Movement against Capitalism (Gerak) would be marching to the airport to stage a rally there. Gerak coordinator Koswara said they intended to block access to the airport in protest of  numerous government policies that jeopardized many people's quality of life, such as outsourcing and the increase in the price of fuel.
He said 30 people had been chosen as representatives to negotiate with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the rally. However, Yudhoyono has reportedly opted to meet with workers in East Java. (nai/dic)