Angry crowd blocks Jl. Raya Bogor

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