Some 20,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure security at a planned demonstration in Jakarta on Friday organized by a number of Islamic organizations against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.
ome 20,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure security at a planned demonstration on Friday organized by a number of Islamic organizations against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochamad Iriawan said police officers from Jakarta and other cities would be involved in securing the rally.
"There will be personnel from outside Jakarta, such as from Banten, West Java, East Java, Lampung, Kalimantan and West Nusa Tenggara, who have come to Jakarta today," Iriawan said at the Jakarta Police headquarters on Tuesday.
Organizers have announced that 35,000 to 50,000 people would join the demonstration.
Iriawan said he and National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian had met organizers of the demonstration, who had promised to hold the action peacefully.
"They have committed [to carrying out peaceful action]. Residents do not need to worry," he said.
Iriawa said police had not formally received a letter from protesters regarding the protest. According to available information, the protesters will march from Istiqlal Mosque to the State Palace and the House of Representatives to urge law enforcers to charge Ahok over allegations of religious defamation. (bbn)
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