Four cops fired over Tasikmalaya riots

Four cops fired over Tasikmalaya riots

BANDUNG (JP): Four police officers, whose alleged brutality
sparked the violent rioting that killed four recently in the West
Java town of Tasikmalaya, were dishonorably discharged here
yesterday.

The discharge took place at a military ceremony led by West
Java Police Chief Maj. Gen. Nana Permana. The officers' police
insignias and uniforms were formally taken off before they then
changed into civilian clothing.

The four were Nursamsi, a 37-year-old police chief corporal,
and Agus Yulianto, Dedi Haerudin, and Agus Martadinata, all 23-
year-old police second sergeants.

According to the official dismissal letter, the four officers
had violated officers' discipline in doing their job, with an
error that led to the fatal riots on Dec. 26.

The riots were sparked by a rumor that one of three teachers
of a nearby Moslem boarding school who were tortured during
police investigation, had died.

The rumor proved to be false, but the mob went on a burning
and looting rampage. Scores of buildings, including 13 places of
worship and dozens of factories, were torched.

Nana Permana later told reporters that the punishment was only
an administrative one; legal measures against the alleged
torturing have yet to be taken.

"The dossiers on them are being processed," he said.

Nana said he was not sure if the trial would be held before a
military or civil court, as the officers were now civilians.

"It's a technical matter that I will consult first with the
prosecutors' office and our (police) legal bureau," he said.

Nana said the force would take measures against other officers
who may have been involved in beating up the teachers.

"But first let's see punishment for the officers directly
involved. Those who touched the fire got burned, while those
clutching the iron will also feel the heat," Nana said.

Nana said he hoped to restore the damage to the police image
following the Tasikmalaya riots.

"It's like starting from scratch again. Gradually, I hope,
everything will be back to normal," Nana said.

Nana also revealed yesterday that the police had detained 42
people suspected of involvement in the riotings. The dossiers and
evidence against them have been completed, he said.

He said the police would soon file the dossiers to the
prosecution office. (ahy/08)