'Becak' drivers attack officers

A fight broke on Thursday between North Jakarta public order officers and around 200 becak (pedicab) drivers in Sungai Bambu subdistrict in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta.

The clash at midday left a car destroyed by fire and another car damaged, while three officers were injured.

"The public officers were doing their routine job to raid becak drivers but some drivers opposed the raid so the clash broke out," said Raya Siahaan, head of the City Social Disturbances Monitoring Center.

The incident began when around 100 public order officers were raiding becak on Jl. Gadang, Jl. Pelita and Jl. Tawes in Sungai Bambu subdistrict and were confronted by around 200 becak drivers.

No fatalities were reported during the one-hour incident.

Three officers -- Dian Syafril, Purwanto and Noval -- were taken to hospital. There no reported injuries among the becak drivers.

North Jakarta police chief, Sr. Comr. Andi Chaerudin, said police had been deployed to the scene after the brawl erupted.

"The condition has returned to normal," Andi said.

He said police were yet to detain any suspects in the incident. However, he said police would continue to investigate.

"The damaged car belonging to the public order office was taken to the North Jakarta police headquarter as evidence," he said. --JP