Smoke Grenades At Monas That Are Not Recognized As Belonging To The Police

The police are looking for a number of objects that can be investigated around the Monas explosion (Rizky Adytia Pramana / VOI)

JAKARTA - Police are still investigating the smoke grenade explosion incident that occurred in the National Monument (Monas) area, on Tuesday 3 December. There is no clear explanation about who and where these items can be in the Monas park area, which is the first ring area.

The National Police denied that the object belonged to its members. Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Yusri Yunus said, based on the results of the interim investigation, neither defense equipment nor property belonging to the Police were left at the scene.

"Nobody has police, who says they have police? Not there," said Yusri in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 4.

Although the location of the incident was the place where troops were often deployed, and also provided security during the 212 Reunion action on December 2 around the Monas area, Yusri emphasized that there was no indication that the smoke grenades belonged to members of the National Police. With the reason that all members of the National Police who were in charge of security were ordered not to carry firearms or other explosives.

"Nothing at all," said Yusri.

On a different occasion, the Head of the National Police Divhumas, Kombes Asep Adi Saputra said that the Forensic Laboratory Team (Labfor) is still investigating the fragments of the blast that were found at the scene. The goal is to ascertain the source of the explosion.

"We will continue to explore the certainty of whether smoke grenades or other forms are," said Asep.

Asep explained that the Police had several types of smoke grenades that were commonly used. However, their use is strictly regulated. He added that the smoke grenades owned by the police did not have explosive power because their use was intended for certain actions. Because of this, the smoke grenade that exploded at Monas was different from that of the Police.

However, to ascertain whether the source of the explosion came from a smoke grenade or not, it would later be proven from the results of an examination by the Forensic Laboratory Center (Puslabfor).

"(Polri's grenade) is different (from the one that exploded at Monas), we will see the results of the Puslabfor."

Asep