Armored vehicles to handle riots

JAKARTA (JP): The police will wield armored vehicles to handle the increasing riots and demonstrations ahead of the May 29 general election, Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo said.

The police force received 12 armored vehicles from the army in a ceremony in Bogor, West Java, Thursday to help secure the election and the campaigning that kicks off tomorrow and ends on May 23.

Dibyo said Thursday that the army has promised to give the police 90 armored vehicles. Early next year, the police will take delivery of another 12 vehicles, he added.

Dibyo said the vehicles, which will be used mostly by the mobile brigade, are expected to boost the police ability's in handling the increasing unrest.

"Demonstrations and riots are on the rise in various areas. Violence in several areas has claimed many lives and caused substantial financial losses," Dibyo said.

He said the vehicles had been modified to suit policing demands.

Col. S.Y. Wenas of the mobile brigade unit said each vehicle was provided with six tear gas grenade launchers capable of firing grenades 150 yards.

Made in Russia in 1960 and first used by the army in 1966, the BTR-40 armored vehicle can carry 10 people.

Spokesman for the National Police Col. Bambang Haryoko said the armored vehicles had been overhauled into mass control units.

"The vehicles' engine has been changed with Isuzu. The roof has been modified and the cannon removed. They are no longer 'war vehicles', but tactical police vehicles," Bambang said.

Dibyo said the National Police had received Rp 8 billion (US$3.3 million) to help secure the general election.

Police sources said the police had required Rp 40 billion to secure the upcoming election. (cst)