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No ‘shoot on sight’ order given for upcoming Jakarta rally
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Thousands of hard-line Muslim groups march after Friday prayers on Oct. 14 at Istiqlal Mosque in Gambir, Central Jakarta, demanding the police continue legal proceedings against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, whom they accuse of blasphemy. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
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akarta Police chief Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan has clarified that no “shoot on sight” order has been issued with regard to a rally set to take place in Jakarta on Friday.
Thousands of Muslim protesters are expected to take to the streets of the capital in protest against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama over statements they consider blasphemous.
“No, there is no such order to secure the rally,” Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono said on behalf of the police chief on Sunday.
The police chief’s statement follows allegations that there would be a “shoot on sight” order for the rally.
Awi said police officers were not allowed to carry firearms when securing rallies. “Don’t twist the news to provoke and make the situation more heated,” Awi said.
The Nov. 4 rally will be the second demonstration against the governor following one earlier in October in which Islamic hardliners had pushed for legal proceedings against Ahok. They want the police to charge Ahok, who is currently on leave during the election campaign, with religious blasphemy, after some felt insulted about a statement in which Ahok cited a verse from the Quran.
Ahok has apologized for the statement, but for the hardliners that was not enough. (evi)
