Gamblers protest police shooting

Gamblers protest police shooting

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of regular gamblers at cock fights in
Cipondoh thronged the local police station on Friday, protesting
the shooting of a man in a police raid earlier in the day.

Inang Saputra, 51, was shot in the abdomen when police raided
the gamblers' den shortly after the Friday prayer, Tangerang
Police chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto said.

Inang was taken to Usada Insani Hospital for immediate
treatment as the bullet reportedly went through his stomach.

"The raid was led by Cipondoh Police chief Capt. Sumardi and
10 policemen. During the operation, police had to open fire as
the gamblers resisted arrest," Pudji explained.

Although the raid was conducted based on a request from local
residents of nearby Noroktok subdistrict after gambling
activities disturbed them, Pudji said his office would
investigate the shooting thoroughly.

"The officer who shot Inang is being investigated by internal
affairs to find out what really happened," he said.

Capt. Sumardi said, however, that he had warned his officers
not to open fire.

"But there was a fight and Inang, who happened to be in charge
of the cocks, got shot in the fray," he said.

Until Friday afternoon, hundreds of gamblers were still
sitting around the Cipondoh police station and the road near it.

In a bid to calm the tension, several local community leaders
went to the office and showed gratitude for the police's action.

"The people here thank the officers for having quickly
dispersed the people at the rooster gambling den," Sumardi, a
local leader, said. (41/edt)