Seven tons of firecrackers confiscated in operations<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Seven tons of firecrackers have been confiscated
\nin a series of operations since September in a bid to prevent
\nirresponsible parties from using them, an official said Saturday.<\/p>\n
Toha Reno, head of the city's public order and entertainment
\nsubdivision, told The Jakarta Post that the 7 tons of
\nfirecrackers were confiscated from several places, including
\nTanjung Priok, North Jakarta; Klender and Jatinegara markets,
\nEast Jakarta; and Tanah Abang and Senen markets, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Even though constant operations were launched to curb
\ndistribution of firecrackers, many vendors can still get the
\nmerchandise to sell to the public, he said.<\/p>\n
"Actually we are puzzled because every time we launch an
\noperation, the sellers easily hide their goods. Many times when
\nwe arrive, they have already disappeared.<\/p>\n
"The distribution of firecrackers is also hard to stop because
\nthey are manufactured in houses. It's almost impossible to raid
\nevery house in the city. The problem is the material for making
\nfirecrackers can be easily bought here," Toha said.<\/p>\n
The materials, such as gun powder, cigarette paper and various
\nchemical ingredients can usually be bought in building material
\nstores so people can easily produce firecrackers, he said.<\/p>\n
Toha said the number of sellers usually mushroomed at the
\nstart of Ramadhan even though selling firecrackers is prohibited
\nunder Provincial Decree No. 5\/1971.<\/p>\n
"The operation against firecrackers is necessary because
\nfirecrackers are endangering people's lives," Toha said.<\/p>\n
During the last operation, in Tanjung Priok and Jatinegara
\nthis month, 750 kilograms of firecrackers were seized.<\/p>\n
In a bid to further curb the distribution of firecrackers, the
\nmunicipality is currently cooperating with the Jakarta Police to
\nclear the streets of firecracker sellers.<\/p>\n
"Therefore, we will continue the operation against the vendors
\nand users," Toha said.<\/p>\n
It has become a tradition to let off firecrackers in the city
\nto celebrate the festive season.<\/p>\n
But because the traditions constantly causes serious
\naccidents, from losing fingers to setting buildings on fire, the
\nauthorities tightened their control over the use of firecrackers.<\/p>\n
"It's important to remind the public that the ban on the use
\nand production of any kind of firecracker is still in effect," he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
As stated in a 1951 martial law, the production, sale and
\ndistribution of firecrackers is forbidden because they are
\nclassified as being explosives.<\/p>\n
Only government officials are allowed to use firecrackers on
\nspecial occasions, including during national day celebrations.<\/p>\n
The city's public order office has also revealed the results
\nof a crackdown on illegal residents in the city.<\/p>\n
Up until the first week of January, 1,378 people were rounded
\nup in an operation to clear the city of "unwanted residents".<\/p>\n
Among them are thee-in-one jockeys, prostitutes, vagrants,
\nbeggars, hoodlums and other illegal residents who were considered
\njobless people.<\/p>\n
Out of 1,378 people, 200 were being sent back to their home
\ntowns and 146 were placed in rehabilitation programs.<\/p>\n
"They come here desperately seeking a better life. They come
\nin throngs to Jakarta mostly because they have nothing to do back
\nhome. For instance, their harvest were destroyed because of the
\ndrought. Eventually, they become burden a to the city," he said.<\/p>\n
Toha said the number of unwanted residents is most likely to
\nincrease due to Ramadhan and Idul Fitri, therefore, the city will
\nprovide certain posts to keep them away from the city.<\/p>\n
"The posts are to be situated at bus terminals and railway
\nstations. Hopefully, they will be activated by the third week of
\nthis fasting month," he said.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso has repeatedly warned residents not to bring
\ntheir families and relatives to the city.<\/p>\n
"If you do not have special skills and jobs, please get
\nout... go away from Jakarta," the governor said. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/seven-tons-of-firecrackers-confiscated-in-operations-1447893297",
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