Prices rise as drivers' strike continues<\/p>\n
MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The public transport drivers'
\nstrike here continued for a second consecutive day on Tuesday,
\ncreating new headaches for residents in the form of soaring
\nprices for essential commodities.<\/p>\n
Vendors increased the prices of many staple foodstuffs, saying
\nthat they had to cover extra transportation expenses.<\/p>\n
Red chilies were being sold for Rp 10,000 from the previous Rp
\n7,000 per kilogram. Onions cost Rp 8,000 per kilogram, compared
\nto the previous price of Rp 4,500, while the average price of
\nvegetables rose by some Rp 3,000 over the usual price.<\/p>\n
"It's crazy but we have no choice," a vendor said.<\/p>\n
Only a few public transport minivans were seen on the streets,
\nleaving large crowds of commuters stranded awaiting transport.<\/p>\n
Medan Regional Police chief Sr. Supt. Hasyim Irianto said that
\nservices were still being provided by some 40 buses belonging to
\nthe state transport firm Damri and scores of military\/police and
\ngovernment vehicles.<\/p>\n
Despite the strike, business and school activities gradually
\nresumed on Tuesday but some offices and shops only opened for
\nhalf a day.<\/p>\n
"We hope the strike will end as my feet are killing me. We
\nhave to walk quite far to reach school. It's too expensive to
\ntake a pedicab," a student said.<\/p>\n
An overnight meeting was attended by North Sumatra Governor T.
\nRizal Nurdin and the Big Family of Public Transportation Drivers
\nand Owners (Kesper) in Medan, which initiated the strike. During
\nthe talks, the group demanded security guarantees and the
\ndeployment of police sharpshooters.<\/p>\n
The administration agreed to crackdown on hoodlums and provide
\nsecurity so as to eradicate the alleged extortion of illegal
\nlevies by members of certain unnamed youth organizations.<\/p>\n
"I understand the drivers' grievances but let's not leave the
\npeople suffering from the strike. Don't turn Medan into a city of
\nchaos," the governor said.<\/p>\n
Hasyim, who also attended the meeting, said that security
\nconditions remained under control and that the deployment of
\nsharpshooters was unnecessary.<\/p>\n
Local government officials were seen distributing flyers
\nurging the drivers to end the strike at the Amplas, Pinangbaris
\nand Sambu bus terminals, a local reporter said.<\/p>\n
Rizal, Bukit Barisan Military Command Chief of Staff Brig.
\nGen. Asril H. Tanjung and Medan's Public Transportation Owners'
\nAssociation (Organda) chief O.K. Khaidir renewed calls for the
\ndrivers to end their strike.<\/p>\n
Some 10,000 drivers in the city, home to around 2.3 million
\npeople, began their strike on Monday and are expected to remain
\non strike until Wednesday.<\/p>\n
In another development, an overnight brawl between youths on
\nJl. Aksara and Jl. Pukat on Tuesday left 16 people injured,
\nincluding a daughter of provincial legislator Rajab Napolis
\nTanjung.<\/p>\n
"My 24-year-old daughter Neneng was shot in the neck by an air
\nrifle when she opened the door," Rajab told the media on Tuesday.
\n(39\/edt)<\/p>",
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