Alleged police raid sparked by patrol car impoundment

BOGOR (JP): Dozens of angry local police officers allegedly raided the Bogor Military Police headquarters here following a military street operation which led to the impounding of a police patrol car.

No fatalities or injuries were reported in an incident, which both the police and the military police later denied as happening.

The vehicle's seizure occurred when a Puncak-bound police patrol convoy was pulled over and checked by a group of military police on Jl. Raya Nanggewer in Cibinong district.

The police convoy, which included two trucks and three Toyota Kijang vans, was on its way to secure a peaceful mass moral concern protest involving thousands of people in Cianjur.

One of the police vehicles belonging to the Rapid Reaction Unit team was impounded by military police personnel.

The military police said the action was taken because the vehicle lacked the necessary documents. It was later sent to military police headquarters on Jl. Siliwangi in Bogor.

Annoyed by the action which appeared to obstruct their duties, the police officers immediately went to police military headquarters to protest the action.

However, the building was apparently not staffed at the time.

Witnesses said the outraged officers then started to bang the gate with their batons and batter objects in the building's rooms.

The fray only ended after Bogor Police chief Lt. Col. Ade Husen Kartadipura and deputy chief of Bogor Regional Police Lt. Col. Adri Widuhung ordered the police to stop their actions.

When asked to comment on the case, deputy chief of the Bogor Military Police Command, Maj. Tatang S, was adamant that there had been no police attack at his office.

"No, No, it's not true that police raided this office.

"The patrol car has been released and sent back to Bogor Police Headquarters," he said

Bogor Police Precinct detective chief First Lt. Santun Marpaung was also quick to deny the incident.

"It's not true that we ambushed the military police headquarters.

"Our officers were simply there because many of our rookies have not yet visited the office and it's a chance to know each other better," Santun said. (21/edt)