Inhil Police Crack Down on Forest Encroachment and Land Burning, Two Named Suspects

The Indragiri Hilir (Inhil) Police in Riau have uncovered two environmental crime cases, resulting in the naming of two suspects for forest encroachment and land burning. The first case involves the illegal clearing of land within a Convertible Production Forest (HPK) area in Kempas District. Police identified the suspect, with the initials LS, following a public tip-off and the discovery of an excavator at the site. The second case relates to a land and forest fire that scorched approximately three hectares on Jalan Pemuda Ujung, Keritang District. The fire, which was reported by residents on Friday (31/7/2026), was found to have originated from land clearing activities using fire the previous day. Police subsequently named AR as a suspect and seized evidence including two pieces of burnt wood and a spray tank. The suspects are being charged under the Job Creation Law and the new Criminal Code. The Inhil Police Chief appealed to the public to stop clearing land by burning and to refrain from using forest areas without legal permits to preserve the environment in Indragiri Hilir Regency.