Senen bus drivers upset of soldier

JAKARTA (JP): The busy Senen bus terminal in Central Jakarta was tense on Sunday when scores of drivers flocked to a nearby police station and threatened to attack the post shortly after a soldier had beaten one of their colleagues.

The angry drivers demanded the police take stern measures against Chief Private Amril Hambali of the Army's water transportation battalion, or they would take the law into their own hands.

No serious damage or clashes were reported as the police then detained Amril and immediately drove him to the nearby Jakarta Garrison Headquarters for further questioning.

At least two truckloads of marines were deployed to calm the angry drivers and secure the area, one of the capital's busiest districts.

Police and witnesses said that Metro Mini driver Wahyudi suffered wounds to his head and chest after being beaten by Amril, who was upset after Wahyudi's minibus grazed the soldier's motorcycle.

"Amril first told Wahyudi to get out off the bus but the latter apparently refused to do so as he insisted that Amril was the one who had used the wrong lane," Sgt. Suwadji for the local police said.

The offended Amril then dragged Wahyudi from behind the steering wheel and hit him on his head and chest.

"The scene was witnessed by Wahyudi's fellow drivers who then stopped the altercation and brought the two here," the police said. (emf)