Demonstrations at DPR Turn Chaotic, Police Arrest 351 People, 196 of Them Children

JAKARTA - The Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) have arrested 351 people in connection with a demonstration in the DPR/MPR area that turned violent. Of the hundreds of people, 196 are children.

"Of the 351 people arrested, 155 are adults, and the other 196 are children," said the Head of Public Relations of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Senior Commissioner Ade Ary Syam Indradi, to reporters on Tuesday, August 26.

They are suspected of committing crimes such as vandalizing public facilities and throwing stones at motorists on the toll road.

Their actions are considered to have endangered other members of the public. This is one of the grounds for the police to make the arrests.

"They are suspected of massively damaging public facilities, then throwing stones at motorists on the toll road, endangering road users, and then attacking officers," Ade explained.

However, before making the arrests, Ade continued, the police had warned them not to commit vandalism or other acts.

In fact, Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Susatyo, has also asked children present at the location to return home immediately.

"Then, the children and students were also given warnings. Because they didn't heed them, they were finally forced to retreat, and so on," said Ade.

The demonstration that took place on Monday, August 25, turned violent. The crowd, dominated by students, attacked officers, leading to clashes at several points.

The crowd attacked officers by throwing canisters, Molotov cocktails, and even shooting firecrackers. The police responded by firing tear gas.