Five shot in Banyumas clash

Five shot in Banyumas clash

BANYUMAS, Central Java: At least five people were shot when
local police fired their guns to break up a clash between
residents of two neighboring villages in Banyumas regency on
Tuesday morning.

Another resident was injured after being trampled by the
brawling crowd. A village administration office and dozens of
houses were damaged.

Police said three men were arrested during the clash between
residents of Pejaten Sokaraja Wetan village and Pamijen village
of Sokaraja district.

Banyumas Police chief Lt. Col. Johny H. Hutauruk said the five
victims had been discharged from Margono Soekarjo Hospital in
Purwokerto after doctors removed the bullets from their bodies.

"The shooting of the five people was not on purpose. They were
hit by stray bullets when the officers fired warning shots at the
scene where only a few lights remained, as many lamps in the
village were damaged by people involved in the clash.

"So, there's no element of deliberateness," Johny said.

The arrested residents were Susanto from Pamijen and two
others from Pejaten.

"They're currently being questioned, because we believe they
know details regarding the cause of the brawl," Johny said.

Police believe the clash was sparked by a small dispute
between Susanto, 23, and a Pejaten villager who was celebrating
the local win of the Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle
(PDI-P) along with other fellow villagers on Monday evening.

Susanto and his motorcycle was said to have not been allowed
by the party revelers to pass through a street that connected the
two villages.

Police said he was then surrounded by the group and forced to
dismount from the motorcycle. A member of the group then
allegedly punched him in the face.

Susanto subsequently reported the incident to his fellow
villagers, who then headed to Pejaten and vandalized several
structures.

Pejaten villagers, armed with machetes and other sharp
weapons, then rushed to Pamijen to take revenge. There, they
damaged at least 20 homes, a car and the Pejaten administrative
office.

The brawl, which started at 9:30 p.m. on Monday, was only
brought under control at 1 a.m. on Sunday, after troops were
deployed at the scene.