We will make an effort to provide counseling services for pupils whose schools have been closed down (by the authority)Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) has committed to providing counseling services for students enrolled formerly in schools affiliated with the pro-caliphate group, Khilafatul Muslimin.
"We will make an effort to provide counseling services for pupils whose schools have been closed down (by the authority)," Head of BNPT Commissioner General Boy Rafli Amar informed at the "Phenomenon of Contemporary Ideologies in Indonesia" press conference here on Monday.
He said that he had suggested the counseling service to regional authorities that are currently coordinating with the counter-terrorism agency to address the issue of the closure of schools affiliated with Khilafatul Muslimin following a crackdown on the group's activities.
"(The counseling services are meant to) ensure that they receive objective and educating information, and the most important (thing) is to (address) the psychological effects on pupils who were enrolled in those schools," the agency head added.
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The government is responsible for handling students who were enrolled in the now-shuttered schools, including explaining the school closures and providing the best solutions for them, Amar said.
"We are thoughtful on this issue. They indeed want to be successful in their education, and success in achieving their dreams," he added.
Earlier, Jakarta Police's General Criminal Investigation Directorate had revealed that Khilafatul Muslimin had established and managed educational institutions from the primary school to university levels.
The directorate’s head, Senior Commissioner Hengki Haryadi, said that educational institutions opened by the group aimed to disseminate pro-caliphate thoughts. The authorities closed down the schools and confiscated the educational institute’s certificates as crime evidence, he added.
Related news: Jakarta Police arrest four members of Khilafatul Muslimin
Additionally, Indonesian Police's anti-terror squad, Densus 88, is investigating the degree of involvement of the pro-caliphate group in terrorism.
The group advocated values that contradicted the state ideology of Pancasila, head of operational assistance of Densus 88, Senior Commissioner Aswin Siregar, informed on June 16, 2022.
Police are still investigating whether their actions can be categorized as acts of terror, which are defined as the use of violence or threats of violence to realize goals and cause widespread fear, Siregar added.
Related news: Densus 88 investigates Khilafatul Muslimin's link in terrorism
Related news: Khilafatul Muslimin has committed hidden crimes: Jakarta Police
Translator: Putu Indah S, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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