N. Jakarta police net 120 hoodlums

JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta police in cooperation with local military personnel have detained over 120 suspected hoodlums in a series of operations since last Thursday.

"Indeed, it's a routine operation which has been intensified following a strong indication of a growing number of crimes in this area," head of the North Jakarta police Lt. Col. Edi Darnadi said yesterday.

The suspected hoodlums, locally known as preman, were mostly apprehended at the locations believed to be their base of operations, such as red-light districts, intersections and night food stalls, said Edi, who led the operation.

Only those found possessing weapons have been jailed. The remaining men have been registered in order to facilitate their arrest if they commit crimes in the future, Edi said.

"We have no plans to stop the war against hoodlums in this area," he pledged. (bsr)