Hendro welcomes reopening of Lampung case<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Responding to the growing demand for the
\nreopening of past human rights abuses in the country, the former
\nchief of Lampung Military Command Lt. Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono
\nsaid on Friday he welcomed an investigation into alleged military
\nabuse during the quelling of a rebel group in the province in
\n1989.<\/p>\n
"If I don't agree (with the demand), people will accuse me of
\nhiding something," Hendropriyono told a news conference here.<\/p>\n
"I am not someone special who has the authority to disagree or
\nagree with public demand."<\/p>\n
Friday's media briefing was held in response to a mounting
\ndemand for the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
\nto inquire into the military crush of members of a Muslim group
\nled by Anwar Warsidi in the South Lampung village of Talang Sari
\nIII. At least 30 people were killed in the incident, according to
\nwitnesses.<\/p>\n
Hendropriyono, who led the operation in his capacity as the
\nprovince's military commander, said the crackdown was conducted
\nin response to the growing anxiety among the public over the
\ngroup's activities.<\/p>\n
The operation involved local people, according to Hendro, who
\nis also former transmigration and resettlement of forest nomads
\nminister.<\/p>\n
"It was not a military operation. It was jointly conducted by
\nmilitary personnel and locals," Hendro said.<\/p>\n
Hendro conceded that the military troops deployed were fully
\narmed after receiving a tip-off that the rebel group had prepared
\narrows and other sharp weapons. He said the soldiers opened fire
\nafter Warsidi's supporters attacked them with arrows.<\/p>\n
"If we were not carrying any weapons, we would not have been
\nable to quell them," he said.<\/p>\n
Hendro said he did not know the precise number of fatalities
\nresulting from the raid. (emf)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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