Security beefed up ahead of Christmas
Security beefed up ahead of Christmas
The Jakarta Post, Batam/Kupang/Medan/Yogyakarta
Thousands of police officers and soldiers have been deployed
across the country following warnings that al-Qaeda-linked
militants could be planning Christmas attacks.
A joint team comprising 2,552 personnel from the police, the
Indonesian Military and local security guards have been deployed
to ensure a safe Christmas and New Year's holiday in East Nusa
Tenggara.
East Nusa Tenggara Police chief Sr. Comr. Robinson B. Sadarum
said security would be beefed up at places of worship and public
spots such as bus terminals, airports and shopping centers.
"Generally, security is under control but we are on alert to
ensure safe Christmas and New Year's celebrations," he said.
Some 2,500 police officers, including snipers, are on alert in
21 regencies and cities in North Sumatra.
The chief of the North Sumatra Police, Brig. Gen. Bambang
Hendarso, said snipers had been instructed to take "decisive"
action against terrorists.
"Terrorist threats ahead of Christmas and the New Year should
be taken seriously. We have deployed trained snipers in 21
regencies and cities considered at risk for attack," he said on
Friday.
He said the officers would protect public places like shopping
centers.
In Yogyakarta, roads leading to the city's 43 churches will be
blocked off on Sunday morning, reopening after Christmas services
are finished.
"Blocking off the roads is intended to ensure security for
Christians who are celebrating Christmas," said Yogyakarta Police
chief Sr. Comr. Condro Kirono.
He said that beginning Saturday, 1,600 police officers would
guard the churches around the clock, adding that security would
also be stepped up at mosques, shopping malls, hotels,
traditional markets, train stations and offices.
The head of the Christmas celebration committee at Santo
Antonius Kota Baru Church in Yogyakarta, ZP Heru Budianto, said
his church would also involve local residents in protecting the
church.
"We involve people from the village. Some 70 people will help
guard the church," Heru said.
In Batam, Riau Islands province, police will be on guard at
both churches and mosques.
The deputy chief of the Riau Islands Police, Sr. Comr.
Sulistiyono, said on Friday the decision to increase security at
mosques did not mean the police had information that specific
Muslim groups were planning attacks, but was simply a precaution.
"Our decision to guard mosques is not intended to cast
suspicion over certain Muslim groups, but is more of a
precautionary measure," Sulistiyono said.