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)