Tangerang soldiers join forces

TANGERANG (JP): At least 2,500 members of the Tangerang Military District are ready to help safeguard next month's General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

Jakarta Infantry Regiment Commander Col. M. Irianto said yesterday the soldiers had been deployed in areas prone to unrest.

"The soldiers monitor several areas, mainly those inhabited by poor people, and industrial areas where workers frequently go on strike or stage demonstrations," Irianto said after witnessing a military exercise at the Ahmad Yani soccer field here.

The soldiers have also been stationed in markets and suburbs bordering Jakarta, he said.

"There have been indications that certain parties are trying to disrupt the General Session," he said, referring to earlier rumors of riots at the Anyar market.

The deployment of the soldiers, he said, was designed to give people a feeling of security.

Tangerang Military District Commander Lt. Col. Herman Rozanie said the assignment constituted an uphill task for the military district since Tangerang functioned as one of Jakarta's buffer zones.

"Any problems, related mainly to security, could easily spill over into Tangerang. So we should realize how important our duty is," Herman reiterated.

He urged all his forces to stay alert to groups who allegedly often tried to take advantage of certain situations. (41/jun)