Street vendors run amok in Bandung

BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Hundreds of shops and kiosks on Jl. Ahmad Yani were wrecked when thousands of street vendors went on a rampage following an altercation with National Discipline Movement officers yesterday.

The unrest broke out after several street vendors were treated harshly by the officers at about 2:30 p.m.

The vendors struck back in anger and soon thousands of people joined in, pelting stones causing severe damage to shops and buildings along the two-kilometer street. A car was also seen being turned over by the angry mob.

Police and military officers quickly sealed off the area, stopping the unrest from spreading to other parts of the city. Armed with tear gas, clubs and guns, the officers were able to bring the situation under control before dusk.

The unrest caused a traffic jam at the intersection of one of Bandung's main streets that connects the city to the eastern district.

There were reports of minor injuries but no fatalities.

Witnesses said the melee broke out when officers from the National Discipline Movement forcibly tried to remove several vendors who were trading on the sidewalk.

Several carts were pushed over by the officers after vendors refused to heed the order.

The vendors argued that they had earlier made an agreement with local authorities to continue selling from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the sidewalk.

The number of vendors on the street had increased during Ramadhan, the Moslem fasting month.

Lt. Col. Kusnadi, commander of the National Discipline Movement in Bandung, admitted that several of his officials had "overacted".

"I regret the actions of those officers. They should not have acted so roughly, sparking a riot," Kusnadi said as quoted by Antara.

A flower seller on the street, who asked not to be named, was quoted by Antara as saying that the officer had kicked several vendors.

Bandung Police Chief Col. Erwin Mappaseng said yesterday evening he could not yet estimate the extent of the damage but admitted that it was widespread.

"I can't give you any exact figure but most of the shops suffered some damage in the front part or had a glass broken," he said.

Erwin said four people were being detained for questioning over the incident.

He denied suggestions that the melee might have been politically motivated with the aim of disrupting the People's Consultative Assembly session in Jakarta in March.

"This is purely about vendors who were making money by selling on the sidewalk and later clashed with the officers," Erwin said.

He said the street had opened again to the public.

Erwin said he hoped the vendors would continue selling their goods at the location.

"Please sell again, no problem, as long as you keep the order," he said. (43/09)