Tangerang soldiers join forces

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)