Street singers protest Banpol

Street singers protest Banpol

JAKARTA (JP): At least 50 street singers grouped under the
Street Children's Communication Forum (FKAJ) went to the City
Council on Monday to demand the dissolution of the newly
established corps of civilian police auxiliaries (Banpol).

They deplored the behavior of the auxiliaries in forcibly
arresting a number of street singers operating along Jl. Imam
Bonjol, Central Jakarta on Wednesday night.

"They dragged and kicked our members before sending them to
the Kedoya social rehabilitation center (in West Jakarta)," Aji,
the group's spokesman, claimed.

He said his group would fight the auxiliaries if the city
administration rejected their demands or if the officers
continued to use force in carrying out their duties.

"Although they carry knives, we're not afraid to fight them,"
Aji claimed.

Besides knives, some of the auxiliaries are also equipped with
tear gas pistols.

The civilian auxiliary force was inaugurated on March 21 to
help the City Public Order Office and the police maintain law and
order in the capital. (jun)