Police ready to guard Idul Fitri festivities: chief

Bogor, NU Online
National Police Chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri has said that `Ketupat` Operation being carried out by police simultaneously throughout the country is aimed at guarding the Idul Fitri (`Lebaran`) festivities.

Through the Ketupat operation, Police provided services and security to the public celebrating Eid Fitr, the police chief said in his written speech read out by Bogor Mayor Diani Budiarto here on Saturday.<>

For the West Java region, the police operation was called "Ketupat Lodaya Operation", the mayor said when officially launching the operation for Bogor.

In the runup to and during Idul Fitri, the people intensified their activities, including in shopping malls, traditional markets, places of worship, recreational places, airports, bus terminals and train stations, General Danuri said.

"The intensified mobility of the public has implications on security and public order," he was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

And such a condition must be managed properly in order to ensure the security, comfort and safety of those celebrating Idul Fitri, he said.

In a coordinating meeting on Idul Fitri security earlier, Bogor Police Chief Sufyan Syarif said around 1,800 police officers were mobilized to guard the upcoming Idul Fitrir.
They would be on alert seven days before and after Idul Fitri, he said.

Meanwhile, West Java Police would deploy about 3,000 anti-terror personnel to guard Idul Fitri travelers in West Java, the province`s police chief, Insp. Gen Timur Pradopo, said.

"The police force will include 4 teams from the anti-terror detachment, each consisting of 750 men," he said.

Home-bound travelers are expected to start their exodus next week, as the fasting month will end next Sunday, September 21, marking the start of Idul Fitri holidays.

This year, it is predicted that more than 27 million travelers will go to their home towns or villages through out the country to celebrate the post-fasting month festivities. (dar)