T

he Riau Police have put 2,279 joint personnel on alert to secure May Day in Riau, despite the fact that no trade unions have applied for rally permits.

Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Dolly Bambang Hermawan said so far none of the regions in Riau had declared an alert status ahead of the Labor Day commemoration on May 1.

'€œApparently, workers would be deployed to celebrate May Day, but in the framework of social action simultaneously undertaken in five regencies and cities involving thousands of people,'€ said Bambang.

Police forces in the regions will also be reinforced with additional personnel. The Siak Regency Police, for instance will deploy 200 personnel to escort a crowd that is planning to hold social service activities, a procession and a peaceful march.

The Bengkalis Regency Police will deploy 215 additional personnel to watch over a parade and tree-planting drive, which is expected to involve 3,700 people. The Pelalawan Regency Police will deploy 104 personnel to secure sports activities followed by around 400 workers.

The Dumai City Police will deploy 50 personnel to oversee a procession involving 250 people, while the Pekanbaru City Police will deploy 725 personnel to secure around 1,000 workers who will hold a gathering at the Gedung Juang building on Jl. Sudirman, Pekanbaru.

'€œThe May Day celebration in Riau will likely be free of rallies and filled with positive activities,'€ said Bambang.