House Of Prayers In Padang Damaged: 9 People Arrested, Police Still Strictly Guard Location To Prevent Susulant Conflict

The police are still on tight guard at the location of the house which is a place of worship for the Christian Church of the Setia Indonesia (GKSI) congregation in the Padang Sarai area, Koto Tangah District, Padang, after the vandalism incident on Sunday afternoon.

Head of Public Relations of the West Sumatra Police, Kombes Susmelawati Rosya, said the security was carried out by personnel from the West Sumatra Police and the Padang Police.

"Until now, we are still guarding the crime scene, both from the West Sumatra Regional Police and the Padang Police," said Susmelawati in Padang, Antara, Tuesday, July 29.

According to him, security is not only aimed at maintaining the status quo of the scene, but also preventing the escalation of the conflict from spreading. "We ask all parties to refrain," he said.

Susmelawati explained that the police immediately moved quickly when the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon. Officers secured the location, controlled the crowd, and asked for information from a number of witnesses.

In the initial handling process, the police also arrested nine people suspected of being involved in the vandalism. They are now at the Padang Police Headquarters for examination.

"Nine people have been detained at the Padang Police office, because the handling of the case was carried out by the Police," he said.

He again reminded all parties not to be provoked by provocative narratives or incitement that has the potential to divide society.

"Don't want to be provoked by the narrative of incitement or fighting against each other. All parties must be wise and keep the situation safe and conducive," said Susmelawati.

Previously, the destruction was carried out by a number of residents of the house where the GKSI congregation had gathered in Koto Tangah, Sunday afternoon.

The police who received the report immediately carried out security at the location. The guard was carried out under the leadership of the Deputy Chief of the West Sumatra Police Brigadier General Solihin.

The police appealed to the public not to be provoked by rumors of SARA nuances that could disrupt security and damage harmony in the city of Padang.