11 arrested for attack on district police

11 arrested for attack on district police

Hasrul, The Jakarta Post/Kendari

The situation in Sampolawa district, Buton regency remained tense
on Friday following a heavy attack on the Sampolawa Police
station earlier on Tuesday. Dozens of police personnel were
deployed immediately after the attack and they arrested 11 of the
perpetrators.

As of Friday, they were still hunting down others who had
reportedly fled to the jungle in Buton regency fearing arrest.

The brouhaha began when hundreds of people vandalized the
Sampolawa Police station on Tuesday night and also a police
housing complex near the station, located in Tira subdistrict
here. No fatalities were reported in the incident.

A day later, after receiving a call from police personnel of
Sampolawa Police station, Buton Police dispatched hundreds of
police personnel and began to search for the perpetrators.

Information from various sources suggested that the incident
stemmed from a misunderstanding between local resident and police
officers over a road accident. Another version stated that the
incident broke out after a police officer was accused of sexual
harassment but the case was never investigated.

Buton Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ali Pranaka confirmed the
incident. He said that as of Friday, 29 had been apprehended, but
18 were later released after it was proven they were not involved
in the incident. Police are now questioning 11 suspects,
including two alleged masterminds La Sakiri and La Ode Basri.

Pranaka also said that police personnel and officials from
Buton regental administration had approached local leaders in
order to prevent the wave of violence from spreading throughout
the regency.

They asked local leaders to help ease tensions following the
attack. Police promised that they would investigate the cause of
the incident and if anybody was found guilty, including members
of the police force, they would face punishment.

A similar attack, which happened while people nationwide were
celebrating Independence Day, also occurred in North Central
Timor regency in East Nusa Tenggara province.

In North Central Timor regency, dozens of people attacked
Miofao Military Command Headquarters on Tuesday afternoon
following a fight between a local military officer and spectators
at a soccer match held to commemorate Independence Day.

Earlier on Sunday, still in East Nusa Tenggara province,
dozens of people vandalized Jerebu'u Police Station in Ngada
regency following an alleged attack on a local resident by a
police officer.

The assault reportedly happened during a soccer match held
earlier on Saturday, also to commemorate Independence Day.