Indonesian police have warned hard-line Muslim gangs raiding and smashing bars, discos and red-light areas in and around the capital, that they had gone too far, reports said Saturday.
The warning, issued by police spokesman Brigadier General Saleh Saaf, came after members of the militant Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) shaved the heads of three alleged prostitutes with knives and killed a youth who came to the girls' defense, the Jakarta Post said.
"A young man named Eddie tried to stop the gang, but was beaten and stabbed to death," Saaf said of the attack on Wednesday in the township of Subang, 105 kilometers (65 miles) east of Jakarta .
"Nobody has the right to do such a horrible thing, especially since they claimed to be acting in the name of religion."
FPI members on Friday also attacked a police station in Karawang, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Jakarta, in retaliation for the police shooting out the tires of one of its trucks.
The truck had reportedly been driving off after an amusement arcade raid, loaded with stolen games equipment including air conditioners.
Early in December -- with the approach of Christmas and the onset of the Muslim fasting month -- police said they had reached an agreement with the FPI as to which "recreational establishments" should be closed, restrict their hours or be allowed to stay open.
But within days of the announced agreement, FPI members launched scores of late-night raids, targeting discotheques, cafes with signs advertising liquor and games arcades, beating up staff and smashing widows.
Unconfirmed reports have said some of the raiders also made off with the liquor they confiscated, with no apparent police attempt to stop them, while some bar owners have privately reported having to pay "bonus" protection money.
Saleh said police had received a petition, signed by 76 Muslim leaders in Jakarta, supporting any police efforts to take former action against the group.
"The letter, dated December 11, was sent to the Jakarta police chief," The Indonesian Observer quoted Saaf as saying.
"Initially we had used a persuasive approach through dialogue in dealing with them, but their actions have become intolerable.
"They harassed the police, we will take stern action" -- JAKARTA (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
