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.