Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono said residents need not be afraid of terror attacks during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri because the police were ready to deploy thousands of personnel to secure the festivities.

He called on people to stay alert, adding that National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel and other government agencies were working together to prevent terror attacks.

“Throughout Ramadhan, including the home-bound travel season and the Idul Fitri holiday, 21,000 police personnel in Central Java, supported by the TNI and other elements, will secure crowded areas such as airports, stations, terminals, banks, pawn shops and housing compounds,” said Condro.

He added that the police would launch operations against thugs, illegal fee practices and other crimes ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday.

“The Staple Food Task Force has also continued to monitor basic commodity prices in the markets. There have been an increase in prices, but everything is still at a normal level. We have met with distributors and wholesalers of basic commodities. The prices are controlled well,” said Condro, adding the police have not yet found staple food and fuel hoarding practices as well as fake money distribution during their monitoring activities. (ebf)