Military command withdraws troops<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Military Command has started to
\nwithdraw, in stages, half of its 5,500 personnel from the streets
\nand visible public areas, according to an official.<\/p>\n
The command's spokesman Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi said over the
\nweekend the remaining half of the troops are still ordered to
\nsafeguard business centers and vital public buildings.<\/p>\n
According to Nachrowi, the soldiers are part of the 25,000
\npersonnel who were deployed over the last few months to secure
\nthe capital.<\/p>\n
\"We decided to remove soldiers from the city's major
\nintersections and some public areas due to the secure situation
\nright now,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said
\nearlier that the security forces included personnel from all
\nunits of the Armed Forces (ABRI) -- Army, Navy, Air Force and
\nPolice Force.<\/p>\n
He said most of the 25,000 troops were on standby in their
\nrespective bases and ready to move fast if necessary.<\/p>\n
Unlike in the previous weeks, Jakartans can now see only a few
\ngun-toting uniformed soldiers on major intersections and at
\nbuildings.<\/p>\n
Many however questioned the latest strategy of the security
\nforces to disperse protesters in which the personnel no longer
\nuse shields, batons and rattan as their main tools.<\/p>\n
They now, even those assigned at the front row, equip
\nthemselves with guns.<\/p>\n
The latest example was the clash between protesting workers
\nand military personnel in Cibitung on Tuesday where soldiers shot
\nat least 20 of the protesters with rubber bullets. (ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/military-command-withdraws-troops-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}