TANGERANG PRISON; PRISONERS AT WORK; NEW PRISONERS BROUGHT IN.




Initials MM/V/RM/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INDONESIA'S PRISONS, ALREADY HOLDING LARGE NUMBERS OF COMMUNISTS AND THEIR SYMPATHISERS, ARE LIKELY TO SEE MORE INMATES SOON AS THE AUTHORITIES STEP UP THEIR ANTI-COMMUNIST CAMPAIGN.

TANGERANG PRISON IS ABOUT 20 MILES FROM DJAKARTA. ALTHOUGH IT IS HEAVILY GUARDED THE PRISONERS ARE NOT KEPT IN CLOSE CONFINEMENT. THEY WORK IN THE GARDENS AND ARRANGE THEIR OWN ENTERTAINMENT, INCLUDING DEMONSTRATIONS OF TRADITIONAL DANCES.

IT HAS A REGULAR SUPPLY OF NEW PRISONERS BROUGHT IN AS THE POLICE AND MILITARY FORCES CONTINUE THEIR SEARCH FOR COMMUNISTS.

THE HUNT WAS STEPPED UP YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) WITH A THOROUGH HOUSE-TO-HOUSE SEARCH IN THE SUBURBS OF DJAKARTA. DISTRICTS WERE SEALED OFF AS THE TROOPS COMBED THE HOUSES.

TODAY WAS THE DEADLINE SET FOR HANDING ALL COMMUNIST LITERATURE OVER TO THE AUTHORITIES. ALL SUCH BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS WERE BANNED WITH THE COMMUNIST PARTY FOLLOWING THE ATTEMPTED COUP LAST YEAR.