Bayonet-armed gang attacks vegetable vendors

Bayonet-armed gang attacks vegetable vendors

JAKARTA (JP): A group of vegetable vendors at Kebayoran Lama
market in South Jakarta were attacked by about 20 bayonet-armed
men wearing Navy uniforms in the wee hours of yesterday morning,
police said.

At least two vendors were severely injured during the
onslaught.

Jakarta Military Police chief Col. Hendardji told The Jakarta
Post last night that all of the attackers were Navy personnel
from the Navy Staff and Command School (Seskoal) in Cipulir,
South Jakarta.

"So far, only one of the suspected attackers has been
detained," Hendardji said, refusing to identify the man.

He said he had ordered his men to pick up all of the suspects
today for further questioning at the Jakarta Military Police
headquarters.

"If any of the injured vendors passes away, we'll directly
detain all the Navy personnel involved in the attack," he said.

Quoting the vendors, the head of South Jakarta Police
Detective Unit, Maj. Rycko Almeza Daniel, said the midnight
incident started suddenly when a group of men in Navy uniform
jumped out of a truck with Navy markings and attacked the
traders.

"Witnesses said their were about 20 attackers wearing uniforms
and wielding bayonets. They damaged goods and attacked the
vendors," Rycko said.

The two injured traders, stabbed by the angry men, were
identified as Pujingan, 27, and M. Rochim, 21.

"Apparently Pujingan was eating some noodles and Rochim was
standing near a phone booth when the attackers started beating
and stabbing them," Rycko added.

Pujingan suffered a stab wound to the back and his lungs were
punctured, while Rochim was injured in the head by a bayonet.

Both men were brought to Pertamina Hospital at Blok M, South
Jakarta. Pujingan was transferred later yesterday afternoon to
the intensive care unit at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Central
Jakarta.

The incident was reported to the Jakarta Garrison and Military
Police a few hours later.

"I handed over the files to the military police today for them
to carry out a further investigation because the case obviously
involved members of the military academy," he explained.

Drunken officer

The incident is believed to have been motivated by reports
that a Navy officer was beaten by vendors at the market.

"Reports said that the vendors did not actually know that the
drunk man was a military officer. Witnesses said the man was
blindly disrupting the market by overturning tables and kicking
at goods.

"Angry vendors beat him into unconsciousness, and later
checked his wallet for his identity. That's when they realized
that the victim was an officer," Rycko explained.

Rycko, however, refused to provide details about the officer,
who was taken to the Kebayoran Lama Police office for treatment.

"We're still gathering information about the case.

"But frankly, the police cannot do much because it's obvious
that the suspects are military personnel.

"The police's job was to secure the crime scene, cross-check
witnesses and help the victims. We cannot arrest other members of
the military. The case is the jurisdiction of the military
police," Rycko explained. (edt)