More Brimob troops for Maluku

AMBON, Maluku: National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo said on Thursday that the police would send a fresh batch of Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers with new AK-47s and SS-1 semi- automatic rifles to help restore peace to the strife-torn province.

Rusdihardjo said the two battalions would be stationed in the areas vacated by security personnel who had withdrawn for various reasons.

Rusdihardjo, who arrived in Pattimura Airport in Ambon at about 11 a.m. local time, went straight to a State Police School in Passo, 12 kilometers east of the city, and met with refugees. Police personnel and their families were also among the refugees sheltered there.

The general also inspected the 10-hectare Police Mobile Brigade Headquarters in Tantui and the Ambon Police station in the area of Perigi Lima, which were badly damaged in massive attacks on June 21 and June 23. (49/edt)