'Police arrests human rights'

A number of persons have reportedly disappeared or been forcibly taken into custody by the police due to their alleged terrorist links. Rights groups have lambasted the police moves as violations of basic human rights. The Jakarta Post asked some residents about the latest police response to the terrorist threat.

Hasan, 35, is the father of five children and works as a newspaper vendor in Grogol, West Jakarta. He resides in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta:

I'm sure that the police will never accept the blame for their inappropriate actions, including the recent arrests of alleged terrorist suspects.

I think the arrest of these people by the police here is, in a way, against human rights. They are not necessarily terrorists as the police have assumed.

I keep on wondering how the police can so easily arrest people without clear evidence of their guilt.

On the other hand, the police let prominent corruption suspects off even if there is crystal clear evidence of their wrongdoing.

I guess it was far better under the New Order regime when the security forces could work out these sort of cases without the public noticing them. It was safe and everything was under control.

Tofik, 25, is a street hawker selling tissues on public transportation vehicles. He lives in Kalimalang, East Jakarta, with his wife and daughter:

I think the arrests by police of several people suspected of having links with terrorists is going too far.

It could even be considered as being against human rights as I'm sure the police don't yet have hard evidence to back up their allegations.

I cannot imagine what will happen to the families of the arrested people. Assuming that these people were the breadwinners for their families, I don't think the security forces here will accept any responsibility for the upkeep of their dependents.

The arrests would be acceptable if police intelligence had clear evidence regarding the involvement of these people in terrorism.

Engkus, 30, is a sidewalk vendor selling mineral water in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. He lives nearby with his wife and three children:

From the point of view of low income people, I think the brutal arrests of people for their alleged involvement in terrorism by the police is not acceptable.

Honestly, I disagree with these arrests. It was so strange to see that their families were only given the arrest warrants after their loved ones had been seized.

Police intelligence should have thoroughly investigated and monitored the suspects, including questioning people in their neighborhoods, before arresting them.

I'm sure that police detectives and intelligence agents are highly educated and well-trained people. I hope the police are not just out to put on a show of force in this case.

Leo Wahyudi S