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esidents who oppose the closure of the Dolly red-light district in Surabaya have reported repressive actions by the police to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), following a clash with police in the area on July 27.

'€œThe repression by police cannot be justified. We have reported the matter to Komnas HAM and filed a lawsuit over the violence committed by police against local residents,'€ Red-light District Defense Front (FPL) advocacy team leader Anissa told the media on Thursday.

Anissa said her team was able to gather evidence, such as damaged buildings, medical reports of a number of residents and audio and visual recordings of field instructions ordering the cleansing of the former red light district.

'€œSeven people have filed reports as of now. They sustained wounds in the head, face and across the body after being beaten with hands and batons, kicked, trampled and gagged,'€ said Anissa.

As was previously reported, police detained 24 people following the clash between members of a crowd who opposed Dolly'€™s closure and police while public order officers were erecting '€œProstitution-free Village'€ banners on Jl. Jarak, Putat Jaya subdistrict, Sawahan district, on July 27.

The Surabaya municipality officially closed the Dolly red-light area on June 18 this year. The closure was in line with Surabaya City Bylaw No. 7/1999 on the ban against utilizing buildings for vice and prostitution in Surabaya. Earlier, the Surabaya municipality also closed the Sememi and Jarak red-light districts in Surabaya.

Surabaya City Police Crimes and Intelligence Unit chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sumaryono said police named six suspects following questioning. Two of them were not held in custody as they were still underage.

'€œTwo of them were charged with violating Article 160 of the Criminal Code on incitement and two others with violating Article 170 of the Criminal Code on vandalism. The four suspects are currently being detained and they will be legally processed immediately,'€ said Sumaryono.

He added that among the four detained suspects were Ari Saputro and Subeki Yanto, both FPL activists.

Police have also seized evidence in the form of charred tires, damaged plaques, rocks, glass shards, sirens, cell phones, Molotov cocktails and sharp weapons.

Surabaya City Police chief Sr. Comr. Setija Junianta said the clash was triggered by residents who acted violently.

Setija said the police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel were just supporting the municipality to turn Dolly and Jarak into prostitution-free places.

'€œSome societal groups disagreed with the banners and they blocked the road and burned tires in the middle of the road. When public order police and police personnel attempted to douse the flames, they were pelted with rocks instead,'€ said Setija.

The protesting crowd, added Setija, tossed Molotov cocktails and even tear gas at the police barricade, so the clash was inevitable.

'€œWe have proof that the suspects, whom we have detained, had provoked the crowd,'€ added Setija.