Slingshots await rioters in Tegal<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A Central Java regent has ordered 1,000
\nslingshots and 40,000 cement marbles to be used to ward off
\nrioters in his area, a media report said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Tegal regent HM Zakir, who is an Army colonel, said Thursday
\nthe slingshots would be provided to security personnel consisting
\nof civil servants trained in handling unrest.<\/p>\n
\"It would be better to repulse rioters by way of pelting them
\nwith cement marbles than by spraying them with hot lead bullets,\"
\nZakir was quoted by Kompas newspaper as saying.<\/p>\n
Contracts for making the slingshots and marbles have been
\nawarded to local small-scale companies. When the equipment is
\nready, each civilian security person will be armed with one
\nslingshot and 40 marbles.<\/p>\n
Established to help secure last year's general election, the
\nsecurity personnel will be authorized to fire cement marbles at
\nrioters as long as standard procedure is followed, the regent
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"The weapons may be used only after rioters turn violent and
\neach marble shot during unrest is to be accounted for,\" he said.<\/p>\n
As soon as the equipment is delivered, the personnel will be
\ntrained to use the weapons on perceived rioters.<\/p>\n
Last year, the military in the West Java city of Bekasi made
\nheadlines when it announced snakes would be used to scare off
\nmobs intending to disrupt the general election in May. It is
\nunknown whether the cobras were used. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/slingshots-await-rioters-in-tegal-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}