Police Disperse Mass Action in Front of Grahadi Building Surabaya

SURABAYA - The police dispersed a mass action in front of the State Grahadi building, Surabaya, East Java, Friday night, after some participants allegedly vandalized the fence and threw stones that endangered safety.

The head of the Surabaya Police, Kombes Luthfie Sulistiawan, said the police had provided security for the masses who delivered aspirations in front of Grahadi since Friday afternoon.

"We provide good service. However, we regret the destruction and throwing that occurred," said Luthfie as reported by ANTARA, Friday, June 26.

He explained that the acts of vandalism and throwing were allegedly carried out by some of the masses after Maghrib time. Officers have repeatedly urged that the action be stopped, but it was ignored.

According to Luthfie, the fence of the Grahadi State Building was damaged as a result of the action. In fact, from the beginning the police were committed to securing the delivery of opinions during the proceedings in accordance with the provisions and carried out in an orderly manner.

Because the appeal was not obeyed, the officers then pushed the crowd gradually away from the front of Grahadi to the area of the Fountain Circle.

He said that about a dozen people were detained for further examination. The exact number is still being recorded by officers.

Luthfie also ensured that no police personnel were injured during the dispersal of the crowd.

According to him, the police did not use tear gas. Meanwhile, the tactical vehicle water cannon was only used to put out the fire that appeared at the scene of the action.

"A total of 320 personnel were deployed to secure the action. The number of vehicles and evidence that were secured are still being recorded and investigated by officers," he said.

Based on ANTARA's monitoring, the police began dispersing the crowd around 19.00 WIB and appealed to people around the location to leave the area.

The dissolution was carried out to the Fountain Circle which became the intersection of Jalan Gubernur Suryo, Jalan Pemuda, Jalan Yos Sudarso, and Jalan Panglima Sudirman.

Around 19.37 WIB, officers set up barriers around the Fountain Circle on the side of Surabaya Square.

Furthermore, at 19.43 WIB, the Surabaya Police Chief sent motor patrol personnel to comb the area of Jalan Gubernur Suryo and its surroundings to ensure that the situation remained conducive.

Around 19.56 WIB, officers began reopening access to Jalan Gubernur Suryo, which had previously been closed to support the implementation of the action to deliver opinions in front of the Grahadi State Building.