Security battalions to be scaled down<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku: Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made
\nYasa said on Wednesday that due to improved conditions in Maluku
\nand North Maluku provinces, the military and police battalions in
\nboth areas will be scaled down from 17 to only 11.<\/p>\n
\"We're planning to put four battalions in Ambon islands and
\nits surrounding areas, three battalions in North Maluku, one
\nbattalion each in Seram and Buru islands, plus two reserve
\nbattalions,\" Yasa said.<\/p>\n
The general further revealed that the previous plan was to
\ndecrease the 17 battalions to only four, but due to the rough
\ngeographical conditions and possibility of further unrest the
\nnumber will be reduced \"gradually\".<\/p>\n
\"Sporadic conflicts are now centered on Ambon islands and
\nCentral Maluku. So we have to make some adjustments,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The two reserve battalions are considered mobile troops in
\nair, sea and land, Yasa added.<\/p>\n
\"The two battalions can be deployed at anytime,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Maluku has two battalions of riot-crack troops, called the
\njoint security forces, consisting of military elite troops namely
\nthe Navy's Marines, Air Force's Paskhas and Army's Kopassus.<\/p>\n
\"Troops in the Malukus are also supposed to function as
\nsupporters in the rehabilitation phase of Maluku conflicts.\"<\/p>\n
Two years of sectarian conflicts in Maluku have claimed no
\nless than 8,000 lives and forced more than 130,000 people to flee
\ntheir homes. (edt\/49)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-battalions-to-be-scaled-down-1447893297",
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