Strong blast rocks Boker red-light area, injures 12
Strong blast rocks Boker red-light area, injures 12
JAKARTA (JP): A strong blast rocked the Boker red-light
district in East Jakarta, in the wee hours of Friday, injuring at
least 12 people including Army and police officers, according to
witnesses and a police source.
The police source, who asked for anonymity, said that before
the blast, a dispute had erupted among five security personnel
allegedly arguing over distribution of so-called "protection
fees".
"That area is widely-known to be 'well-protected' by certain
police and Army officers, often getting into fights over the
fees," the source said.
He identified the five injured officers as First Pvt. Dandy
Saprail of the city's main regiment (Rindam Jaya), First Sgt.
Armadi from Group IV of the Army's elite Special Force
(Kopassus), Fajar, whose rank was unknown, also of Kopassus,
Second Sgt. Hendor Purwanto and First Sgt. Widodo, both of the
Jakarta Police.
The civilians injured, mostly pierced by pieces of metal, were
identified later as resident Ali Imron and the ladies who are at
the site include Ratina, Purwani, Rosita, Herlina, Ika and Ita,
all in their 20s and 30s.
Separately, city police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said
that the blast came from a hand grenade allegedly thrown by two
unidentified people passing through the area on a motorcycle.
"East Jakarta Police are still investigating the case.
The injured are receiving medical treatment in separate
hospitals, including Pasar Rebo hospital, National Police
Kramatjati hospital in East Jakarta, and the Gatot Subroto Army
hospital in Central Jakarta," Zainuri told reporters.
Some local residents told reporters that the blast took place
at around 1 a.m. near a billiard center, which also runs a
prostitution den.
The police arrived at the scene just a few minutes after the
blast to secure the location.
Separately, Governor Sutiyoso said that the incident was a
warning for city residents to give careful supervision to
prostitution dens, as well as gambling spots.
"I have closed most of the places but I can't guarantee that
they won't operate anymore," he told reporters at City Hall.
Sutiyoso said that security officers actually knew of the
existence of the red-light area.
"We have to check first whether the injured officers were
really customers or not," he said.
City Councilor Posman Siahaan of the Justice and Unity Party
(PKP) faction said that city officials had to be consistent in
their policy concerning vice activities.
"It's impossible that city officials are unaware of such
activities there. They must take strong action to uphold city
regulations," he said.
He was worried that street justice would occur again in the
matter, if firm action was not taken.
"It's surprising that the suspects could acquire hand
grenades. Ordinary residents don't have access to such things,"
he said.
"It shows that military and police leaders must investigate
this case thoroughly," the councilor urged. (06/05/ylt)