`Becak' drivers freed after violent protest
`Becak' drivers freed after violent protest
JAKARTA (JP): Thirteen drivers of becak (pedicabs) were
released after being questioned by police regarding their alleged
role in a violent protest in the Tanjung Priok port district,
North Jakarta, during the early hours of Tuesday.
Another pedicab driver, identified as Lasidi, 23, was treated
at the Kramat Jati police hospital for an arm injury, after
apparently being hit by a stray bullet fired by police in their
attempt to disperse the demonstrators.
The incident is the latest of a number of violent conflicts
between city authorities and becak drivers.
Last week, a similar clash in the busy Roxy Mas commercial
district in West Jakarta led to the death of a civilian guard
(hansip), prompting Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso to declare war on
becak drivers, whose operations have been outlawed by the
administration.
North Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Andi Chaerudin said the
latest outbreak of violence started when some 300 people, mostly
pedicab drivers, were attempting to march to the North Jakarta
Mayoralty Office on Jl. Laks. M. Yos Sudarso to protest against
the seemingly endless crackdown on their operations.
The demonstrators had assembled a few kilometers away on Jl.
Bugis in Kebongbawang District at 2.30 a.m..
Police, however, blocked their path and forced the protesters
back to as far as the Tanjung Priok port area.
The protesters burned tires and pelted rocks at the police but
the situation was brought under control by 6 a.m., Chaerudin
said.
The 13 people detained for questioning were freed in the
afternoon without being charged, he added.
On Monday, some 1,000 becak drivers and street vendors staged
a rally outside the Office of Coordinating Minister for People's
Welfare Jusuf Kalla on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, calling on the
government to revoke the 1988 city bylaw which bans the operation
of becak in the capital's streets.
The protest ended peacefully, although the demonstrators
failed to meet with the minister. (07)