Man dies after Bulukumba riot

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Another farmer has died following a violent protest over land ownership that occurred in the remote South Sulawesi regency of Bulukumba last Monday.

Ansu bin Musa died late on Friday after sustaining gunshot wounds to his left leg, bringing the death toll in the riot to two after Barra bin Badula, who was killed instantly when police opened fire on protesters to disperse them.

Bulukumba Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Tigor Situmorang said on Saturday Ansu died when doctors at the local general hospital were conducting surgery to remove the bullet from his leg. Tigor said Ansu surrendered to the police on Friday morning as he could not stand the nagging injury.

Ansu was among 13 people on the police's wanted list. The list also included Badaria, her son Sappewali and daughter-in-law Tini, who were all arrested on Saturday.

The police arrested 15 people following the riot at the compound of PT London Sumatra rubber plantation firm and have named them suspects.

The National Commission on Human Rights has formed a team to determine whether the police committed rights violations in the incident. -- JP