Peace returns to Bandung after street vendors' riot<\/p>\n
BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Things returned to normal in the city
\nhere yesterday after a brief melee a day earlier which saw
\nhundreds of shops damaged by rampaging vendors.<\/p>\n
Rocks and debris which had littered Jl. Ahmad Yani were
\ncleaned away, and apart from the presence of some security
\nofficers and broken glass from buildings, all was quiet.<\/p>\n
Picking up the pieces of the previous day's frenzy, both the
\nmilitary and provincial officials maintained the incident was not
\npolitically motivated.<\/p>\n
Governor R. Nuriana said the incident was triggered by a
\nmisunderstanding between National Discipline Movement officers
\nand street vendors.<\/p>\n
\"Don't blow up this matter. There were some officers that
\noveracted and annoyed the vendors,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the vendors should be allowed to sell their
\nmerchandise on the sidewalk during the Ramadhan fasting month and
\nIdul Fitri as long as they maintained order.<\/p>\n
\"They certainly have to obey the rules. But on the other hand,
\nsecurity officers should not go beyond the limit,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Lt. Col. Jusuf Mulia, spokesman for the Siliwangi Military
\nCommand, also said that based on reports from police
\ninvestigations, the rampage was unintentional and was considered
\na pure criminal action, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
Bandung Police Chief Col. Erwin Mappaseng said that at least
\nfour street vendors were questioned yesterday following the
\nunrest.<\/p>\n
The vendors were caught throwing stones, he was quoted by
\nAntara as saying. The four were identified as Arpen, 38, Didin
\nSaripudin, 40, Rohana, 41 and Tarkum, 30.<\/p>\n
Erwin said police are still investigating the improper action
\nof National Discipline Movement officers which sparked the
\nunrest.<\/p>\n
\"Only public security officers have the right to discipline
\nthe vendors,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The unrest reportedly damaged 83 shops. Three vehicles and 64
\nflower pots were also reportedly damaged.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said the National Discipline Movement officers had
\ntreated the street vendors harshly, including forcibly tipping
\nover their wares.<\/p>\n
But Army spokesman Brig. Gen. ID Putu Rai denied that National
\nDiscipline Movement officers were involved in sparking the
\nunrest.<\/p>\n
He said that other local public order officers who were
\nassigned to help maintain discipline were the ones responsible.<\/p>\n
\"It is true that they wore vests, but it wasn't National
\nDiscipline Movement vests,\" he said referring to the orange vests
\ndistributed to the movement's cadres.<\/p>\n
The National Discipline Movement was first launched by
\nPresident Soeharto in May 1995. But the Army relaunched the
\ncampaign in September after it felt that little had been
\naccomplished in the two-year period. (43\/09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/peace-returns-to-bandung-after-street-vendors-riot-1447893297",
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