Christians Celebrate Xmas Eve In Peace

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Christians in the capital observed the Christmas Eve in peace on Saturday night, with no significant security disturbance reported.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed to provide security during the Christmas Eve mass in almost all churches in the capital, Antara observed.

Chief of the Sawah Besar police precinct Comr. JR Sitinjak said a total of 251 personnel were deployed to guard the Christmas Eve mass on Saturday and the Christmas mass on Sunday at Cathedral Church in Central Jakarta.

"The 251 personnel consist of 184 police officers, and 67 officers from other units, such as public order agency, security guard and scouting movement," he said.

Earlier, at 02.00, the Gegana bomb-squad had sterilized the church and will be stand by in the location until Sunday night.

The Christmas Eve mass at Cathedral Church was conducted three times, namely at 05.00 p.m., 08.00 p.m. and 10.30 p.m.

Christians began to flock to the church at around 03.30.

Tight security was also seen at Santa Theresia Church where 79 police officers and 10 church security personnel were deployed to guard the Christmas Eve mass.

Like Cathedral Church, Santa Theresia Church also organized the Christmas Eve mass three times, namely at 05.00 p.m., 08.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m.

Chief of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Insp. Gen. Untung S Rajab  said police personnel were on first level alert to guard the Christmas Eve celebrations.

"All Jakarta Metropolitan Police personnel are on first level alert to provide as maximum Christmas security as possible," he said.(T007)