Police ready to safeguard holidays

Police ready to safeguard holidays

YOGYAKARTA: Provincial Police chief Yohannes Wahyu Suronto has assured that police would safeguard the ancient city from any violence during festivities surrounding the fasting month of Ramadhan, Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Speaking to media here on Wednesday, Yohannes said that more than 4,250 officers, two-thirds of Yogyakarta Police personnel, would be deployed throughout the city and its surrounding areas.

"The number does not include some 200 personnel from the Police's Mobile Brigade and bomb squad units," Yohannes said.

He said that preliminary duties had already begun, with intensive patrols and operations starting before Ramadhan.

Some 27 community service posts throughout the province would also be opened to the public during Ramadhan, Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year's Eve.

"All police preparations are designed in a special operation codenamed 'Ketupat Lilin Progo 2001'," he said.

Yogyakarta has recently earned a reputation for religious and political clashes.

As a result, Yohannes suggested that the provincial administration have all entertainment centers closed during Ramadhan. --JP