Jakarta – Two groups having sahur (predawn meals) outdoors on the road (SOTR) clashed at the Penjernihan gas station in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Monday, leaving 13 people injured.

Jakarta Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat has banned SOTR on the grounds that such activities can cause conflict.

"Both groups have around the same number of members. The one that came from Pejompongan to Karet Bivak in Central Jakarta suddenly used sharp weapons," Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Suyudi Ario Seto said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

He said the clash erupted because the groups wanted to show off their influence in the area. "They met on the street and attacked each other," he said.

He further said some of the suspects brought a flag with "VOC" written on it. "We have arrested four suspects," he said, adding that VOC might be a symbol of one of the groups. Suyudi said only two suspects were detained. One of them was caught with a machete.

A number of conflicts involving SOTR have occurred in the past. Last Saturday, Indonesian Military soldier Sec. Pvt. Ananda Puji Santoso, 22, was stabbed by members of an SOTR group on Jl. Benyamin Sueb in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

Ananda was stabbed with a traditional bladed weapon after reprimanding the group for using harsh words. (dra/bbs)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/06/20/13-injured-when-sahur-turns-ugly-in-tanah-abang.html