Komnas HAM to probe Bulukumba riot

JAKARTA: The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) announced on Friday it would send a fact-finding team to look into possible human rights violations in a recent incident in the South Sulawesi regency of Bulukumba.

A man died and three others were injured after police opened fire to disperse a crowd of farmers who ran amok at rubber plantation firm PT London Sumatra in the remote regency on Monday. The riot was triggered by a land dispute.

Komnas member Hasballah M. Saad told reporters the team is expected to arrive in Bulukumba on Wednesday next week.

"We will investigate possible rights violations during the incident," he said.

Police arrested and named 15 people suspects following the incident and named 13 others who have not yet been arrested for allegedly masterminding the protest.

The police have defended the officers involved in the fatal shooting, saying they opened fire in self-defense. -- JP