Gunung Kidul farmer found dead

Gunung Kidul farmer found dead

JAKARTA (JP): A man from the remote hinterland of Gunung Kidul, Central Java, was found dead on the pedestrian bridge in front of UKI university along Jl. Soetoyo, East Jakarta, yesterday morning.

"The 37-year-old farmer, identified as Supriyanto Noto, was a resident of Sumber Redjo village in Gunung Kidul. His body, which was covered with stab wounds, was discovered at 3:30 a.m. by patrolmen from the Kramat Jati police subprecinct," said spokesman for City Police Headquarters, Lt. Col. A. Latief Rabar.

Besides identity cards and a bag, police also found a stainless steel knife at the scene, believed to have been used by the attackers.

The bag contained some traditional Central Javanese food items, believed to be gifts for the man's relatives here.

"Unfortunately, the police are still in the dark about the address of the deceased's relatives here and his purpose in coming to the capital," Latief said.

According to Latief, police have questioned three witnesses, including ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers, in an attempt to unravel the mystery behind the killing.

The patrolmen arrived at the scene after being summoned by a local resident. They found the dead body on the stairs of the pedestrian bridge, which is located close to a police post.

Sources claimed yesterday that late in the evening criminals hang around the bridge, waiting to exhort money or valuables from passers-by.

"If you try to defend your belongings or ignore their demands, you'll get roughed up," cautioned Slamet, who once crossed the bridge in front of UKI university and was once subjected to such abuse.

Slamet said that it would be a pointless to report the case to the police post under the bridge.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the group operating under the bridge pays slush money to the officers working at the post. So, what's the use of reporting?" he said.

Some other notorious crime-infested pedestrian bridges in the city are those on Jl. Kramat Raya and Salemba Raya in Central Jakarta, and Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta. (bsr)