50,000 beggars to flood the city

50,000 beggars to flood the city

JAKARTA: The city administration announced on Tuesday that it
would launch a public order operation against beggars who are
expected to flood the city during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Acting Governor Abdul Kahfi estimated that as in last year's
fasting month, around 50,000 beggars are expected to enter the
city. They will be told to return to their hometowns.

"If they refuse to go home, we will arrest them and forcibly
take them to their hometowns," Kahfi, who is also deputy governor
for administrative affairs, told reporters at City Hall.

He said the public order operation, which would take place in
public places such as railway stations, bus terminals and cross
roads, would start one week before the beginning of the fasting
month.

Besides the operation against beggars, Kahfi said the
administration would also launch an operation against
firecrackers during Ramadhan.

"Firecrackers are still not allowed in the city. They disturb
the religious activities during Ramadhan," he said.

He told the city's five mayors to conduct raids against
firecracker' trading in their respective municipalities. --JP