Officers questioned over brawls

JAKARTA (JP): Military police are questioning six servicemen for their alleged roles in two separate brawls in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, in which two civilians were killed.

Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said yesterday five were being detained at the Jakarta Garrison's military police office.

The other was still being treated at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, he said.

"If they are found guilty, they will be punished in accordance with military law," the two-star general said after a ceremony in North Jakarta.

According to Sutiyoso's spokesman, Lt. Col. DJ. Nahcrowi, four of the suspects, all second sergeants, were being questioned over the death of Agusman, a resident of Jl. Muara Baru, who was killed in a brawl Monday.

Under questioning, the four servicemen said they rushed to the brawl on Jl. Martadinata after being informed about the fight, said Nachrowi.

After they arrived, the four tried to disperse the fighters. One of the residents involved in the fight, Agusman, "while running away fell from a railway bridge and hit his head on the ground," Nachrowi quoted the soldiers as saying.

But earlier reports quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the victim was beaten by the four Armed Forces members before they pushed him off the bridge.

Agusman died the next morning after being treated at the army hospital.

The other two servicemen, both corporals, were apprehended following another brawl in the nearby Kebon Bawang area on Monday, said Nachrowi.

The two soldiers, and three civilians, were attacked by a group of 30 people, six of whom were armed with sharp weapons.

During the evening clash, one of the civilians, identified as Mohammad Kadri, was killed and another, Hidayat, was badly injured.

One of the servicemen also suffered wounds and is still being treated at the Army hospital.

The motive of the attack remains unknown.

"Without a single explanation, the group suddenly attacked us," Hidayat told reporters after the clash. (jun)