Civilian police armed with pistols

MEDAN, North Sumatra: North Sumatra provincial administration said on Thursday that it had equipped its civilian police with pistols in a bid to assist them in their daily duties.

One of the task force's duties is to maintain law and order in the compound of the provincial administration building.

The administration's spokesman Eddy Syofian said that the pistols could be withdrawn in case of misuse even though the officers had obtained licenses from the provincial police.

He added that the administration would strictly control the use of the firearms through a monthly report in which each officer would have to provide details of his pistol's usage and condition and the number of bullets used. --Antara