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