`Becak' drivers freed after violent protest<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Thirteen drivers of becak (pedicabs) were
\nreleased after being questioned by police regarding their alleged
\nrole in a violent protest in the Tanjung Priok port district,
\nNorth Jakarta, during the early hours of Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Another pedicab driver, identified as Lasidi, 23, was treated
\nat the Kramat Jati police hospital for an arm injury, after
\napparently being hit by a stray bullet fired by police in their
\nattempt to disperse the demonstrators.<\/p>\n
The incident is the latest of a number of violent conflicts
\nbetween city authorities and becak drivers.<\/p>\n
Last week, a similar clash in the busy Roxy Mas commercial
\ndistrict in West Jakarta led to the death of a civilian guard
\n(hansip), prompting Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso to declare war on
\nbecak drivers, whose operations have been outlawed by the
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
North Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Andi Chaerudin said the
\nlatest outbreak of violence started when some 300 people, mostly
\npedicab drivers, were attempting to march to the North Jakarta
\nMayoralty Office on Jl. Laks. M. Yos Sudarso to protest against
\nthe seemingly endless crackdown on their operations.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators had assembled a few kilometers away on Jl.
\nBugis in Kebongbawang District at 2.30 a.m..<\/p>\n
Police, however, blocked their path and forced the protesters
\nback to as far as the Tanjung Priok port area.<\/p>\n
The protesters burned tires and pelted rocks at the police but
\nthe situation was brought under control by 6 a.m., Chaerudin
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The 13 people detained for questioning were freed in the
\nafternoon without being charged, he added.<\/p>\n
On Monday, some 1,000 becak drivers and street vendors staged
\na rally outside the Office of Coordinating Minister for People's
\nWelfare Jusuf Kalla on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, calling on the
\ngovernment to revoke the 1988 city bylaw which bans the operation
\nof becak in the capital's streets.<\/p>\n
The protest ended peacefully, although the demonstrators
\nfailed to meet with the minister. (07)<\/p>",
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