Four die during 'Takbiran' parades
JAKARTA (JP): Four people died and two others were injured in traffic accidents during unofficial street parades marking the Takbiran prayer celebration Thursday night.
Two of the dead, identified as Zainuddin and Muftadi, were killed in a traffic accident in Cakung, East Jakarta. Another victim, Fahmi, died when his motorcycle crashed in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.
Their bodies were sent to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta for autopsies.
Nana Maulana, 30, died after falling from a speeding Metromini bus crowded with people. Reports said she was believed to have died instantly.
Her body was taken to Sumber Waras Hospital in West Jakarta.
Thousands of city residents, most of them youths, flocked the streets Thursday night in cars, motorcycles and trucks. They beat traditional bedug drums and chanted praise to Allah to mark the end of the Ramadhan fasting month.
Parades caused traffic jams in several areas, particularly streets around the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta where President Soeharto led an official ceremony.
The emergency unit at Fatmawati Hospital, South Jakarta, had admitted two patients who sustained injuries in parades by 2 a.m. Friday morning.
Sri Rahayu, 47, was involved in a car crash as she watched parades near her house at the Bea Cukai housing complex near Jl. Fatmawati.
Purnanini, 32, fell from a motorcycle during a parade.
Many youths in the parades lit firecrackers, and some of them threw them at people in other vehicles.
Although the authorities have banned the possession and use of firecrackers, City Police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said late Thursday that his personnel had not made any arrests involving fireworks.
"We only warned them and asked them to stop playing with the firecrackers," he said. No arrests were made. Our security operation emphasized more the humanity side, not tough measures. After all, it's the holiday season."
About 14,000 police officers were deployed in an operation code-named Ketupat to safeguard Idul Fitri festivities throughout the greater Jakarta area. (edt/emf)