Evidence of violence on Tanjung Priok victims

JAKARTA (JP): A joint forensic experts team disclosed on Friday that evidence of violence was found on five of the six remains believed to be those of the 1984 Tanjung Priok victims.

According to head of the team Budi Sampurna, a senior forensic expert from Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, a hole matching the size of a bullet was found in one of the skulls said to be that of victim Romli.

"It's just a preliminary conclusion," Budi said.

The team, he admitted, were still having difficulty examining the remains as the decaying bones had been buried for over 16 years.

Based on the dental and head structures of the victims' relatives, the team identified the other four remains as those of Andi Samsu, Tukimin, Kasmoro and Amran. The remaining one is said to be that of Abdul Kohir.

Following the completion of the forensic work, slated to be on Sunday, the remains would be handed back to the relatives for burial on Monday.

In addition to the forensic experts from the hospital, the joint team includes members of the police and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

Budi asked that the relatives of the bodies help them with more accurate data, such as specific details on the teeth and pictures of the deceased.

The excavation of the remains was conducted on Aug. 31.

The Sept. 12, 1984 incident involved clashes between civilians and military personnel which allegedly erupted following emotionally-charged sermons by local preachers, who were reportedly criticizing the government.

The military claimed that 23 people were killed and 60 were injured; but eyewitnesses said they saw a truck loaded with charred bodies leaving the scene. (07)