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Jakarta riot: Police dormitory under control after rioters burn cars nearby
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono urged people to stay calm as the police had cleared the area around the dormitory.
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Smoke is seen around the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) dormitory on Jl. KS Tubun, West Jakarta after rioters set fire to cars nearby on May 22. (kompas.com/Verryana Novita Ningrum)
P
eople protesting the presidential election results attacked the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) dormitory on Jl. KS Tubun in Slipi, West Jakarta, where they set fire to cars in the area at around 5 a.m. on Wednesday.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono urged people to stay calm as the police had cleared the area around the dormitory.
“Residents, please proceed with you regular activities,” Argo said as quoted by kompas.com.
Earlier, some 3 kilometers away from the dormitory, a series of shootings and explosions were heard at Tanah Abang Market, Central Jakarta, while hundreds of protesters clashed with police officers.
Read also: Six dead, 200 injured in Jakarta riot: Jakarta governor
As reported by antaranews.com, crowds of demonstrators began throwing Molotov cocktails at police, who tried to get protesters to back up.
The air around the location was heavy with tear gas. Protesters across the intersection chanted “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest) while throwing stones, Molotov cocktails and firecracker at the officers.
Protestors around Tanah Abang Market also blocked the road by burning tires and iron sheeting.
Tanah Abang train station was reportedly in complete chaos on Wednesday morning as commuters were unable to exit the facility due to the crowds.
Ed Restian, who wanted to head to her office on nearby Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, was forced to go back inside the station after hearing gunshots and people shouting “retreat! retreat!”
“Please avoid Tanah Abang, there are shots everywhere,” said the 31-year-old in a Whatsapp group to alert her colleagues. She further informed that dozens of police officers were standing guard near the station.
Read also: Jakarta riot: Train services modified amid election protest
“It was a complete mess. My body was shaking as I ran from the crowd,” she told The Jakarta Post separately, after deciding to take the commuter train to Manggarai Station in South Jakarta. She had asked a driver to pick her up at Manggarai.
Commuters at Tanah Abang Station were told to stay inside as the conflict among protesters escalated.
The National Police and Indonesian Military have deployed around 40,000 personnel to guard the General Elections Commission, Elections Supervisory Agency, Presidential Palace, legislative complex and embassies. (hol/van/rfa)
