The officers will lead them back to the buses so that they can go home."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Around 22,000 officers of the police, military and public order agency (Satpol PP) will be deployed on Friday to secure the planned protest rally on December 2, 2016.

The rally has been called to demand the arrest of Jakarta Governor and blasphemy suspect, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok).

The spokesperson of the National Police, Inspector General Boy Rafli Amar, disclosed here on Tuesday that the personnel will be deployed at Ring 1 area (around the National Monument), Ring 2 (Medan Merdeka Barat, Medan Merdeka Selatan and Medan Merdeka Timur Street), and Ring 3 (Veteran Street, Lapangan Banteng, Thamrin Street, Abdul Muis Street and Tanah Abang).

"Medan Merdeka Utara and Medan Merdeka Barat street will be closed (to all vehicles) from 08:00 am to 03:00 pm local time," Amar informed.

Around 150,000-200,000 persons are expected to join the protest rally in Jakarta.

Previously, the representatives of Gerakan Nasional Pengawal Fatwa Majelis Ulama Indonesia (GNPF MUI) and the National Police had agreed that the protest, dubbed the "Defend Islam" Rally on December 2, will be organized at the National Monument area, Central Jakarta.

The peace rally is scheduled for 08:00 am to 01:00 pm. The protesters will listen to sermons and will perform the Friday prayer in the area.

After the Friday prayer, the protester will refrain from fanning into the streets, it was agreed.

"The officers will lead them back to the buses so that they can go home," Amar pointed out.

(Reporting by Anita Permata Dewi/Uu.A059/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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