`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)