28 arrested for attacking officers
JAKARTA (JP): City police arrested at least 28 people yesterday in connection with Monday's attack on security officers at the house of a suspect in the case of the recent brutal murder of a mother and her children in Ciracas, East Jakarta.
The people are still in custody for questioning about their suspected roles in the clashes, which resulted in the destruction of property and a number of injuries.
A senior officer of the Ciracas police sub-precinct said the group of people being questioned includes 23 senior high school students.
"About half of them are being treated at the police hospital for minor injuries," said the officer, requesting anonymity.
The house attacked belongs to the chief suspect in the murder of the wife and three children of Rohadi.
Identified as Filipus, the suspect was allegedly helped in the killing by his son and two nephews.
Rohadi's eight-month-old baby was found injured but alive at the crime scene. Despite reports yesterday that she had died, the baby remains alive. Rohadi's eldest daughter was at school when the murders took place.
Yesterday's clash began after police prohibited people flocking to the area from breaking the police line at Filipus' house.
The killing was allegedly the result of dispute between the suspect and Rohadi's family over cassava trees.
Monday's clash took place after an angry crowd had burned down Filipus' two-story house and two other nearby houses.
Some students attacked and threw stones at police and military personnel, who were trying to bar their access to what remained of the suspects' house.
Police and military officers, lawyers and city councilors have expressed deep regret over the incident. Some have suggested that the local press stop publishing stories on the situation as one means of preventing an escalation of violence.
City Military Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Sutiyoso said Monday's incident was a result of people showing their sympathy for Rohadi and his family in improper ways.
"I suggest they stop their attacks and obey our existing rules," Sutiyoso said.
Mulya Lubis, a noted human rights activist and corporate lawyer, said Monday's attack was improper, even given the horrendous nature of the murder which preceded it.
"The people should let the police handle the case," Lubis told The Jakarta Post.
According to Lubis, the destructive actions reflect the lack of legal education in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Irianto Subiakto of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation told the Post that the media has played a significant role in fanning people's anger.
"I'm not blaming the media, but the attack was a result of their publications," he said.
City Councilors Mohammad Aman and Abdoelhamid Notowidagdo called on the people to honor the presumption of innocence, noting that the suspects have yet to be found guilty by a court. (bsr/05/32/yns/29)