Officers equipped with gas pistols

Officers equipped with gas pistols

JAKARTA (JP): The increasing threat of violence faced by City
Public Order Agency personnel has led the agency to purchase 100
gas pistols, which are designed to incapacitate people, from the
police to aid its staff in dealing with stubborn street traders,
homeless people and illegal squatters.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the agency's boss Hadi
Utomo said his office had placed the order for the equipment and
hoped to receive the delivery very soon.

"The 100 pistols would be distributed equally between all five
mayoralties in the capital. We ordered the guns after
ascertaining that they were necessary for our officers in dealing
with any public resistance during our raids," Hadi said.

The latest threat against the agency's personnel was
experienced by West Jakarta Public Order Agency Chief Jornal
Siahaan during a raid on illegal squatters in Cengkareng on
Wednesday, he said. Siahaan suffered serious wounds to his arms
after being struck with a machete.

"This is not the first time my officers have been hurt by such
violators of public order," Hadi added.

However, he guaranteed that the weapon would not hurt or
endanger the lives of people.

"Those hit by the gas pistols would only be unconscious for
around 15 minutes. So, it's not a deadly weapon," he added.

Governor Sutiyoso supported the decision to buy the guns. He
also expressed hope that police would be able to arrest the
attackers of Jornal.

"I have reported the case to the police. They should do
something about it because if the police fail to do something to
settle this case, such things would be likely to happen again,"
Sutiyoso said.

"I know that this is not the first incident faced by our
officers, so it is very urgent for us to arm them with more
sufficient equipment," he added.(dja)