Residents Of Air Bangis Demo In Padang For 5 Days Are Forced To Go Home, Police Reasons For Conduciveness

Illustration of police officers. (Between-R. Rekotomo)

JAKARTA - The West Sumatra Regional Police explained that conduciveness was the reason for his party to repatriate residents from Air Bangis, West Pasaman who demonstrated in Padang City.

"We received complaints from Padang residents whose activities and mobility were disrupted due to days of demonstrations, that's what we responded to," explained the Head of Public Relations of the West Sumatra Police, Kombes Pol Dwi Sulistyawan at the West Sumatra Police on Monday, August 7, as reported by Antara.

Dwi said the police had given Air Bangis residents the opportunity to express their aspirations in front of the West Sumatra Governor's Office. However, he argued, paying attention to complaints from Padang residents, thus repatriating demonstrators.

He explained that residents of Air Bangis had rallied for five consecutive days. During that time, the road in front of the West Sumatra Governor's Office, which is the main road in the city of Padang, was closed to motorists.

"During the demonstration, we have provided escort and security to the masses, but if it continues, the activity of Padang residents will be hampered for a longer time. Meanwhile, alternative roads are experiencing a buildup of vehicles," he explained.

Repatriation of residents from Padang on Saturday, August 5, was also carried out in response to complaints from the management and congregation of the Great Mosque of West Sumatra, because while in Padang the participants of the action settled and stayed in the Grand Mosque area.

Dwi also said that dozens of demonstrators from Air Bangis who had been secured at the Grand Mosque of West Sumatra had been completely repatriated on Sunday, August 6 at noon.

They were arrested during tensions at the location due to the mass who refused to be sent home from Padang to Air Bangis, a statement was taken at the West Sumatra Police Headquarters.

On the other hand, Dwi also again stated that members of the police did not step on the prayer mat as stated by the Head of the West Sumatra Regional Police (Kapolda) Inspector General Pol Suharyono previously.

"Regarding the video circulating that the personnel entered the sacred area of the Great Mosque of West Sumatra, it was not true, because the location is a place for people to sleep," he said.

Previously, the repatriation of demonstrators from Jorong Pigogah Patibubur, Nagari Air Bangis, Sungai Beremas District, West Pasaman Regency from the West Sumatra Grand Mosque was carried out on Saturday 5 August.

The repatriation was carried out by hundreds of police officers from the West Sumatra Regional Police and Padang Police, for residents who were facilitated by buses for their return mode of transportation.