Jakarta. Thousands of members of the hardline Islamic Defender's Front, or FPI, have staged a protest at South Jakarta's Al Azhar Mosque Monday morning (16/01), before marching to the National Police headquarters.

The FPI is scheduled to stage a mass rally at the National Police headquarters on Jalan Trunojoyo, South Jakarta, to demand the dismissal of West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan after a violent scuffle broke out during the questioning of Rizieq Shihab, leader of the group, last week.

The clash between members of the FPI and the Indonesian Lower-Class Movement (GMBI), occurred while Rizieq Shihab was being questioned by police in Bandung, West Java, last Thursday.

FPI accused Anton of backing GMBI as he is registered as organization's head of advisory board.

“We have deployed our personnel. The protesters have gathered at Al Azhar mosque and they will march to National Police headquarters. We will escort them to hold the rally in front of National Police's Baharkam Building,” South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Iwan Kurniawan said on Monday morning.

Police have installed four security rings to safeguard the protest, including for vital objects in South Jakarta area, Iwan said.

“We have also prepared to hold a meeting with representatives of protesters to hear their demands. They will meet police officials from the public relations division,” Iwan said.

During the protest, Jalan Trunojoyo and Jalan Adityawarman will be temporarily closed to vehicles.