Police handle 152 children and women in connection with mass protest at DPR

The Directorate of Criminal Investigation for the Protection of Women and Children and Trafficking in Persons (PPA-TPPO) has taken 152 people into custody, comprising 149 boys and three adult women, in connection with the handling of a mass protest on Thursday (27/8).

Director of Criminal Investigation for PPA-TPPO, Senior Commissioner Rita Wulandari Wibowo, said the handling was part of prevention efforts and periodic evaluation of potential public order disturbances involving the community and minors.

From the initial identification of the 152 people, 123 were registered as active students, while 25 others were not in school.

“Of all those taken into custody, we have sent 141 people home. Currently, five children are still waiting to be picked up by their parents, two are under examination, and there are new handovers that we are still looking into,” Rita said at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.

Regarding the five children who are being processed legally or designated as Children in Conflict with the Law (ABH), the police have issued a Police Report (LP) after finding evidence of intent and preparation for dangerous actions.

“Officers seized a number of items of evidence from the perpetrators, including petrol that had been mixed with dried Bintaro fruit. The mixture was designed to be ready to ignite and be thrown into the middle of the crowd, as well as other evidence of assault,” Rita revealed.

During the examination process, children with the status of witnesses or suspected perpetrators received assistance from professional Social Workers (Peksos) and Community Guidance Officers (PK) from the Correctional Centre (Bapas), who prepared a Community Research Report (Litmas) as material for consideration in the ruling.

All procedures are ensured to refer to Law Number 11 of 2012 on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System (SPPA), which prioritises the best interests of the child.

“This handling is our shared responsibility, not just the police’s. We prioritise protection, assistance, restorative justice, and safeguarding the rights, dignity, education and future of children,” Rita stressed.

The police also urged the public and parents to increase supervision so that children are not easily provoked or exploited by irresponsible parties, while inviting all stakeholders to create a safe ecosystem for the younger generation.