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.