Once Tense, Police Urge To Retreat Afghan WN Demonstrators In Kebon Sirih

Police barricade in front of the UNHCR Kebon Sirih office. (Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI)

JAKARTA - Joint officers of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the National Police have urged the withdrawal of the Afghan citizen demonstrators who held a demonstration in front of the UNHCR office, Jalan Kebon Sirih, Menteng District, Central Jakarta.

The police had previously asked the women and children to separate themselves before the police took firm action.

Through the loudspeaker of the Central Jakarta Metro Police's mass dispersal car (Raisa), Head of the Ops Division of the Central Jakarta Metro Police AKBP Guntur asked the demonstrators to immediately disperse.

"Keep pushing. Brimob members keep pushing. Those (who are against) just put them in the car. I remind the protestors to disperse," he said through a loudspeaker on Jalan Kebon Sirih Raya, Tuesday, August 24.

Police officers with motorbikes and shields repelled hundreds of protest participants towards the Tugu Tani statue, Menteng. Even so, there were some demonstrators who were reluctant to back down so they had to be secured by police officers to avoid provocation.

"To the masses, all the action is dispersed. Once again, I remind everyone to disperse," said AKBP Guntur at the location.

At around 12.20 WIB, the officers managed to push back the demonstrators. Access to Jalan Kebon Sirih began to be passed by motorized vehicles around 12.40 WIB.