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Policewomen ready to calm down Friday protesters
The hijab-clad policewomen’s officer corps (Polwan) have been readied to calm down the thousands of people who joined the massive rally against inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama on Friday.
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On alert -- Hundreds of policewomen wearing hijabs are readied at the National Monument (Monas) complex in Central Jakarta to calm down protesters on Friday. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
T
he hijab-clad policewomen’s officer corps (Polwan) have been readied to calm down the thousands of people who joined the massive rally against inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama on Friday.
They were assembled at several locations with various logistics and supplies, including candy and water.
“We will give them candy and water because maybe they [protesters] will be really thirsty when they carry out the rally from Istiqlal Mosque to the State Palace,” said Sri Purwandini of the Jakarta Police’s Integrated Service Center (SPKT) at the National Monument (Monas) complex in Central Jakarta.
The police said 268 Polwan personnel wearing hijabs were deployed to help secure the massive rally while 100 others were readied to face demonstrators in front of the State Palace.
Sri hoped the protest would run smoothly and safely. “We are a family,” she said.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono said placing Polwan personnel in front of the State Palace was part of the police’s strategy to reduce demonstrators’ emotions, particularly once the anti-Ahok rally is centered in the area.
“Polwan personnel wearing hijabs are put on the front lines so they can directly embrace the demonstrators. With their motherly approaches, we hope they can reduce unexpected occurrences and calm down their emotions," he said. (ebf)
