Orders given to shoot on sight

Orders given to shoot on sight

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: West Lombok Police Chief Lt. Col.
Djunaidhy has ordered his men to shoot on the spot anyone caught
stealing cows.

The drastic measure was taken in response to reports that
thieves have been using homemade guns to threaten people and
authorities trying to apprehend them.

"In the past, they used sharp weapons to threaten people. Now,
we won't hesitate to shoot them on the spot," Djunaidhy was
quoted by Antara as saying on Sunday.

On Jan. 6, a 19-year-old peasant was shot dead by a thief he
was trying to catch.

"That was evidence of their brutality," Djunaidhy said.

Chief of the Sekotong subdistrict Lalu Rosihan Anwar reported
that last year, 30 cows worth more than Rp 18 million (US$7,600)
were stolen.

Djunaidhy said that the police knew of about 30 homemade guns
in the hands of criminals. The guns, he said, can be purchased
for between Rp 75,000 and Rp 150,000. (pan)