Marines raid music show, kills one in Lampung<\/p>\n
Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post\/Bandarlampung<\/p>\n
One person was killed and several others injured when a truckload
\nof marines launched a lightening raid on a concert to celebrate
\nIndependence Day in Lampung province, villagers said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The trigger behind the attack, which took place at around 9
\np.m. on Wednesday in Gebang village, South Lampung regency,
\nremained unclear.<\/p>\n
Locals suspected, however, that it might have been sparked by
\na brawl on Tuesday night in neighboring Ketapang village during a
\nsimilar concert to mark the country's 59th independence
\nanniversary. At that time, local youths clashed with a number of
\nmen in military uniform and fled.<\/p>\n
Mugi, 26, a Gebang resident, died at the scene after he was
\nstabbed five times in the abdomen and leg during Wednesday's
\nraid, which was blamed on soldiers from the Piabung marine base.<\/p>\n
Villagers who suffered heavy injuries were: Darsono, 26, who
\nsustained a knife wound in his back; Hafifi, 20, who was stabbed
\nin the right arm and armpit; and Zuhir Himanto, 34, who suffered
\nstab wounds to the legs.<\/p>\n
All three victims are being treated at Abdul Moeloek General
\nHospital in Bandarlampung, while two others with minor injuries,
\nMarfeni and Cahyo, both 23, were taken to the local Bumi Waras
\nHospital.<\/p>\n
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived by truck in full
\nmilitary uniform and were armed with sharp weapons.<\/p>\n
\"They came suddenly and attacked us when we were enjoying the
\nelectronic piano concert,\" said Syamsuddin, a 34-year-old Gebang
\nvillager.<\/p>\n
He said many more victims might also have been injured, but
\nthey had fled after the incident.<\/p>\n
\"It was dark and many villagers ran to save their lives. The
\nbody of my friend Mugi was found on the side of a road,\"
\nSyamsuddin added.<\/p>\n
According to him, dozens of youths who failed to escape were
\nstabbed and slashed.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, Marine Corps spokesman Brig. Gen. Deddy Susanto
\nsaid on Thursday some 40 marines would be dishonorably discharged
\nfor their alleged involvement in the attack.<\/p>\n
\"We will launch a marathon investigation tonight to identify
\nthose involved before discharging them dishonorably tomorrow
\n(Friday),\" he was quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Deddy did not rule out the possibility of also removing the
\nPiabung marine base chief, who was just installed on Tuesday,
\nover the incident.<\/p>\n
Marine Corps commander Maj. Gen. Achmad Rifai is giving
\nspecial attention to the attack, Deddy added.<\/p>\n
Lampung Garuda Hitam Military commander Col. Chairudin Aziz
\nand Lampung Marine Battalion chief Lt. Col. Bambang Sutrisno
\nvisited the village and apologized to the victims' families.<\/p>\n
Bambang promised to take harsh measures against soldiers
\nresponsible for the attack. \"This cannot be tolerated. I will not
\nprotect my men if they are guilty.\"<\/p>\n
Local councillors condemned the incident and demanded stern
\npunishment for the perpetrators.<\/p>\n
In March, dozens of Army soldiers ran amok at the Rajabasa bus
\nterminal in Bandarlampung in a similar incident, destroying a
\nsecurity post and beating up several bus crewmen.<\/p>\n
Late-night keyboard concerts have often been blamed for brawls
\nin Lampung. Local police banned such shows last year, but many
\ncontinue to put on the music shows, which are highly popular.<\/p>",
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