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Police shoot tear gas as anti-Ahok protest turns violent
Police shot tear gas after a demonstration turned violent on Friday when rally participants allegedly started throwing bottles, rocks and other items at police officers.
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Police officers guard the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Jl. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta as a demonstration turns violent on Friday. The protesters demanded that the KPK probe Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who has been questioned as a witness in two cases investigated by the anticorruption body. (kompa.com/Abba Gabrillind)
P
olice shot tear gas after a demonstration turned violent on Friday when rally participants allegedly started throwing bottles, rocks and other items at police officers.
“We were forced to shoot the tear gas as the demonstration turned violent,” said Jakarta Police spokesman Jr. Comr. Awi Setiyoni in Jakarta on Friday as reported by kompas.com.
Awi said that the police deployed 323 personnel and one water cannon to secure the protest.
Hundreds of people demonstrated in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to call on the anticorruption body to investigate Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who had been questioned as a witness in cases pertaining to land acquisition and reclamation.
The protestors claimed to be members of the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR), the North Jakarta Community Alliance (AMJU) and the Luar Batang Warriors from North Jakarta.
The violence broke out at 3 p.m. while protestor representatives held talks with KPK officials. “But, while their representatives carried out dialogue with the KPK, the protestors threw rocks at the police officers, who guarded the KPK,” he added.
Earlier, the protestors demonstrated in front of the City Council on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta. They demanded the council impeach Ahok for evicting residents of Kampung Polu in East Jakarta as well as those in Kalijodo, Pasar Ikan and Akuarium village in North Jakarta. (bbn)
