Marines, hoodlums beat policeman

CIREBON, West Java: A police officer, Second Brig. Kusnun Sanjaya, was nearly killed when he was beaten viciously by a group of Indonesian Navy marines and several hoodlums in Cirebon, police said on Tuesday.

The incident happened after closing hours on Saturday night at a discotheque in Hotel Kharisma.

The victim was treated in intensive care at the Cirebon Port General Hospital due to the seriousness of his injuries.

The motive behind the attack remains unknown.

Meanwhile, local police said they had arrested only those hoodlums who were involved in the beating.

An eyewitness said the incident was sparked by a quarrel between the victim and marines after the As Club closed. The argument continued as the group left the hotel and turned into a brawl.

West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Dadang Garnida said on Tuesday in Cirebon that fighting between police, Navy personnel and hoodlums was common.

"It's normal... Perhaps because of differences of opinion. No need to exaggerate it," he said. -- Antara