Govt official almost loses nose

BENGKULU: A raid on illegal traders ended in a city official losing the outer part of his nose and his upper lip when a fish merchant attacked him with a machete.

Antara reported Friday that the raid was conducted the same day.

The suspect was still at large, police spokesman Capt. Nazwar said.

Nazwar quoted witnesses who said the trader concerned, identified as Uck, was selling his wares in an alley. The public order official, Hasjim, who approached him around 1:30 p.m. told him to move elsewhere to give way to shoppers.

Uck moved but the minute Hasjim turned his back the seller returned to the spot. Hasjim saw this and it led to short tempers on both sides, witnesses said.

"Maybe this is what caused Uck to flare up and hit Hasyim with a machete owned by a chicken seller," Hasyim's colleague, Rony Bambang Suryadi said.

Uck fled and disappeared in the crowded market while Hasyim, who was losing a lot of blood, was rushed to the Bengkulu General Hospital.

"Luckily a bread seller spontaneously picked up the part of the nose and lip and placed it in a plastic bag to be delivered to the emergency ward," Rony said.

Relatives said Hasyim's severed parts were reattached in an operation lasting a few hours on the same day. Hasyim is a father of seven. (anr)