Peace returns to Bandung after street vendors' riot

BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Things returned to normal in the city here yesterday after a brief melee a day earlier which saw hundreds of shops damaged by rampaging vendors.

Rocks and debris which had littered Jl. Ahmad Yani were cleaned away, and apart from the presence of some security officers and broken glass from buildings, all was quiet.

Picking up the pieces of the previous day's frenzy, both the military and provincial officials maintained the incident was not politically motivated.

Governor R. Nuriana said the incident was triggered by a misunderstanding between National Discipline Movement officers and street vendors.

"Don't blow up this matter. There were some officers that overacted and annoyed the vendors," he said.

He said the vendors should be allowed to sell their merchandise on the sidewalk during the Ramadhan fasting month and Idul Fitri as long as they maintained order.

"They certainly have to obey the rules. But on the other hand, security officers should not go beyond the limit," he said.

Lt. Col. Jusuf Mulia, spokesman for the Siliwangi Military Command, also said that based on reports from police investigations, the rampage was unintentional and was considered a pure criminal action, Antara reported.

Bandung Police Chief Col. Erwin Mappaseng said that at least four street vendors were questioned yesterday following the unrest.

The vendors were caught throwing stones, he was quoted by Antara as saying. The four were identified as Arpen, 38, Didin Saripudin, 40, Rohana, 41 and Tarkum, 30.

Erwin said police are still investigating the improper action of National Discipline Movement officers which sparked the unrest.

"Only public security officers have the right to discipline the vendors," he added.

The unrest reportedly damaged 83 shops. Three vehicles and 64 flower pots were also reportedly damaged.

Witnesses said the National Discipline Movement officers had treated the street vendors harshly, including forcibly tipping over their wares.

But Army spokesman Brig. Gen. ID Putu Rai denied that National Discipline Movement officers were involved in sparking the unrest.

He said that other local public order officers who were assigned to help maintain discipline were the ones responsible.

"It is true that they wore vests, but it wasn't National Discipline Movement vests," he said referring to the orange vests distributed to the movement's cadres.

The National Discipline Movement was first launched by President Soeharto in May 1995. But the Army relaunched the campaign in September after it felt that little had been accomplished in the two-year period. (43/09)