Security on north coast highway enhanced

Security on north coast highway enhanced

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon

Authorities have enhanced security along the north coast highway
and railway in West Java in anticipation of the massive exodus of
people from Jakarta to their hometowns in Central and East Java
on the eve of the Idul Fitri holiday.

The police in Indramayu will install 1,000 cement-filled drums
to separate the two opposite lanes along the 114-kilometer
highway from Subang to Cirebon in an effort to help prevent
traffic congestion and accidents.

"Even a single traffic accident will cause heavy congestion
due to the multiplier effect in certain sections of the highway.
The installation of the drums is aimed at forcing motorists to
comply with traffic regulations and to facilitate the smooth flow
of traffic," Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Hadi Sutedja, chief of the
Indramayu Police, said here on Wednesday.

He added that the drums would be installed in certain sections
of the highway that were prone to traffic jams and accidents.

Eko said further that the police would also deploy 800
personnel from the police, the local land transportation agency
and boy scout groups from numerous schools to help regulate the
traffic and handle any traffic jams and accidents.

"All personnel will be stationed at 18 security posts and 22
tactical posts and the command post will be centered in the
Eretan area near Cirebon," he said.

He said police would also deploy marksmen in certain sections
of the highway which were prone to robberies and other crimes.
All police personnel who are assigned to maintain security during
the Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year holidays have instructions
to shoot-on-sight any would-be robbers to maintain security and
order.

An average of ten collisions and other traffic accidents occur
each month on the north coast highway, with most accidents caused
by reckless motorists.

Meanwhile, in Cirebon, state-owned railway company PT KAI is
coordinating with the police in Cirebon, Indramayu and Subang in
anticipation of disturbances, including terrorist acts, on the
busy railways and trains traveling to and from Jakarta.

Suhartono, spokesman for PT KAI's operation area III ranging
from Karawang in Bekasi to Brebes in Central Java, said KAI had
taken the necessary measures, including deployment of a special
antiterrorist squad, to maintain security along the railway which
was the backbone of transporting for people traveling to and from
Jakarta.

"Besides, the larger part of cargo from Central and East Java
to Jakarta and vise versa is transported through the north coast
highway," he said.

Suhartono explained that KAI had deployed a total of 1,566
personnel to help local security authorities maintain safety
during the Idul Fitri and New Year holidays.

"Besides deploying security personnel at all stations and
areas prone to security disturbance, KAI has also started
deploying armed police personnel aboard all trains to maintain
security in all trains from all routes in Java and Sumatra," he
said.