Police Chief Expected to Visit N. Sumatra to See Post-Riot Situation

Medan (Antara Bali) - National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian is expected to visit North Sumatra to receive updates following riots that struck Karo District and Tanjungbalai city in the province on Friday evening.

The Police Chiefs plan to make the unplanned visits was confirmed by spokesperson of the North Sumatra Police Senior Commissioner Rina Sari Ginting here on Saturday.

"We do not know the agenda," she said.

General Tito Karnavian is expected to visit Karo and Tanjungbalai.

The riot in Karo District occurred during a protest by residents against the development policy for the second-stage relocation of refugees left homeless by the eruption of Mount Sinabung in Lingga Village, Simpang Empat Sub-district.

In Tanjungbalai, a riot was caused a mob that set fire to pagodas and monasteries, following a protest by a local resident against the use of loudspeakers for azan (the call for Islamic prayers).

The situation in the two regions is now under control, as police and military personnel were deployed to end the rioting. (WDY)