Bringing Molotov Cocktails, Five Protesters Against PPKM In Bandung Arrested By Police

A number of demonstrators detained by the police in Bandung/Antara

JAKARTA - Five demonstrators who resisted the imposition of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in Bandung, West Java were arrested by the police. They were arrested for carrying Molotov cocktails.

"There are five people who brought Molotov cocktails later, please see the evidence", said Bandung Police Chief Kombes Ulung Sampurna Jaya at Gedung Sate, Bandung City, West Java, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, July 21.

Ulung was grateful that the bottle of Molotov cocktails had not been ignited and thrown. "We haven't had time to (explode), so we've already caught it", he said.

The five people have now been handled by the Bandung Police Criminal Investigation Unit. In addition to the five people, the police also arrested 150 people from the mass action.

The hundred people, he said, consisted of youth ranging from college students, high school students, junior high school students, and youth who dropped out of school. They are suspected of being involved in actions that disrupt public security and order.

"During our disbandment, Molotov cocktails were found, which were prepared by their group, so we concluded that they wanted to make the city of Bandung not conducive", said Ulung.

The demonstration started at around 12.00 WIB at Bandung City Hall. Then the mass of action moved towards Gedung Sate via Ir. Djuanda Street.

However, before they got to Gedung Sate, the crowd took action to close the road at the Sulanjana Street - Diponegoro Street intersection. Ulung also suspected that the mob had vandalized several public facilities along the road.