Bus drivers attack police station in Cirebon
Bus drivers attack police station in Cirebon
Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java
Over 100 bus drivers and crew in Cirebon, West Java, went on the
rampage on Sunday morning after Palimanan Police chief First
Insp. Bambang S. allegedly shot dead bus driver Anjani, 29, who
worked for Bhineka bus company.
The angry mob, which arrived at Palimanan police station at
around 7 a.m., smashed window panes, throwing out furniture and
burning it on the street, causing a major traffic jam on the
north coast main road.
The shooting also prompted the crews of some 300 buses plying
the Cirebon to Bandung, Cirebon to Merak and Cirebon to Jakarta
routes to strike from 8 a.m. through 2 p.m. on Sunday, forcing
thousands of bus passengers headed for the three destinations to
wait for hours at the town's Harjamukti intercity bus terminal.
Cirebon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Musyafak said his unit had
detained two people for questioning.
"We are still investigating the two incidents," said Musyafak,
adding that Mobile Brigade personnel had been deployed to restore
public order and prevent further violence.
Meanwhile, thousands of bus passengers were stranded at the
city's bus terminal on Sunday after more than 300 bus crews went
on strike in a demonstration of solidarity with Anjani, a
resident of Banjaran, Bandung regency.
Drivers and crews of Bhineka and Sahabat buses sealed off the
Harjamukti intercity bus terminal, to prevent buses from leaving
the station.
Pepen Supandi, 40, a bus crewman, said they would continue the
strike until the police promised to investigate the incident
thoroughly.
"The shooting is unacceptable; it is murder, as the police
took the law into their own hands," said Pepen, adding that the
killer should be detained on neutral ground.
The strike ended at around 2 p.m., after protracted
negotiations between bus drivers and police officers.
Separately, Cirebon Police chief Sr. Comr. Soenaryono said
that he had dismissed First Insp. Bambang S. following the fatal
incident.
He added his office had also started an investigation into it.
Soenaryono said that police could not yet announce the result
of the investigation, as they were awaiting results of the
forensic tests on Anjani's body.
The body was examined by doctors at Gunung Jati hospital,
Cirebon. He had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
The incident occurred at about 1.30 a.m. on Sunday. Police
chief First Insp. Bambang allegedly shot Anjani after chasing him
on the road.