Govt official almost loses nose

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)