All parties have been urged to exercise self-restraint."
Tanjungbalai (ANTARA News) - Chief of the Tanjungbalai Police Resort, North Sumatra, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Ayep Wahyu Gunawan said the situation in Tanjungbalai is safe and under control, following a riot that occurred Friday evening.

"Based on the field conditions, the situation has been brought under control, and the mob has already dispersed," he said here on Saturday.

A number of police and military personnel are still on guard in pagodas and monasteries to prevent further rioting.

"We want the situation in Tanjungbalai to remain peaceful and under control. All parties have been urged to exercise self-restraint," the police chief said.

The police have detained seven people for investigation. Meliana, age 41, a local resident who had asked a mosque located near her house to stop using a loudspeaker during azan (the call for Islamic prayers), is also being questioned by police.

"She, and seven youths who allegedly looted during the riot, are still being interrogated. So far, there are no suspects," Gunawan said.

Earlier, the provincial police deployed 100 personnel from Asahan, 30 from Batubara, and 75 from the police mobile brigade at Tebing Tinggi to stop the riot in Tanjungbalai, spokesperson of the North Sumatra Police Senior Commissioner Rina Sari Ginting said in Medan, North Sumatra, on Saturday.

Military personnel from the 0208/Asahan Military District Command (Kodim) and Tanjungbalai Naval Base were also called to assist in Tanjungbalai.

"On Saturday morning, the situation in Tanjungbalai is again stable. The local residents have been urged to remain calm and not be easily provoked," she said.

Also, authorities are receiving assistance from prominent local religious and traditional figures to calm the situation.

Hundreds of people were involved in the riot, which saw several pagodas and monasteries set on fire. The mob was dispersed at around 4:30 a.m. local time, according to police.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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