Marines raid music show, kills one in Lampung

Marines raid music show, kills one in Lampung

Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung

One person was killed and several others injured when a truckload
of marines launched a lightening raid on a concert to celebrate
Independence Day in Lampung province, villagers said on Thursday.

The trigger behind the attack, which took place at around 9
p.m. on Wednesday in Gebang village, South Lampung regency,
remained unclear.

Locals suspected, however, that it might have been sparked by
a brawl on Tuesday night in neighboring Ketapang village during a
similar concert to mark the country's 59th independence
anniversary. At that time, local youths clashed with a number of
men in military uniform and fled.

Mugi, 26, a Gebang resident, died at the scene after he was
stabbed five times in the abdomen and leg during Wednesday's
raid, which was blamed on soldiers from the Piabung marine base.

Villagers who suffered heavy injuries were: Darsono, 26, who
sustained a knife wound in his back; Hafifi, 20, who was stabbed
in the right arm and armpit; and Zuhir Himanto, 34, who suffered
stab wounds to the legs.

All three victims are being treated at Abdul Moeloek General
Hospital in Bandarlampung, while two others with minor injuries,
Marfeni and Cahyo, both 23, were taken to the local Bumi Waras
Hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived by truck in full
military uniform and were armed with sharp weapons.

"They came suddenly and attacked us when we were enjoying the
electronic piano concert," said Syamsuddin, a 34-year-old Gebang
villager.

He said many more victims might also have been injured, but
they had fled after the incident.

"It was dark and many villagers ran to save their lives. The
body of my friend Mugi was found on the side of a road,"
Syamsuddin added.

According to him, dozens of youths who failed to escape were
stabbed and slashed.

In Jakarta, Marine Corps spokesman Brig. Gen. Deddy Susanto
said on Thursday some 40 marines would be dishonorably discharged
for their alleged involvement in the attack.

"We will launch a marathon investigation tonight to identify
those involved before discharging them dishonorably tomorrow
(Friday)," he was quoted by Antara.

Deddy did not rule out the possibility of also removing the
Piabung marine base chief, who was just installed on Tuesday,
over the incident.

Marine Corps commander Maj. Gen. Achmad Rifai is giving
special attention to the attack, Deddy added.

Lampung Garuda Hitam Military commander Col. Chairudin Aziz
and Lampung Marine Battalion chief Lt. Col. Bambang Sutrisno
visited the village and apologized to the victims' families.

Bambang promised to take harsh measures against soldiers
responsible for the attack. "This cannot be tolerated. I will not
protect my men if they are guilty."

Local councillors condemned the incident and demanded stern
punishment for the perpetrators.

In March, dozens of Army soldiers ran amok at the Rajabasa bus
terminal in Bandarlampung in a similar incident, destroying a
security post and beating up several bus crewmen.

Late-night keyboard concerts have often been blamed for brawls
in Lampung. Local police banned such shows last year, but many
continue to put on the music shows, which are highly popular.