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)