Angry crowd blocks Jl. Raya Bogor

JAKARTA: Around 500 people, wearing black uniforms on which were printed the letters BPPKBB (Banten people's organization for the development of their potential), blocked Jl. Raya Bogor in front of Kramat Jati wholesale market in East Jakarta on Monday.

The angry crowd carried sharp weapons, including bamboo spears and daggers. During the blockade they also destroyed wooden tables used by street vendors to display their merchandise.

The chaotic incident was triggered by vendors from a certain ethnic group who had clashed with other vendors from Banten on Sunday evening. The clash eventually continued on Monday.

Jl. Raya Bogor was blocked from Cililitan intersection to Kramatjati Indah Plaza for a length of 8.75 kilometers. All shops, including the Ramayana department store in the upper floor of the market, were shut, while street vendors opted to go home. Due to the extensive congestion, the police were forced to divert traffic in other directions.

Four trucks of policemen were deployed to the site. They at last managed to disperse the crowd after firing three warning shots, according to Chief Brig. Siswanto from Kramatjati police precint.

No casualties were reported but the tense situation continued until the afternoon. -- JP