Perceived injustice causes latest trouble

JAKARTA (JP): The massive unrest that broke out in the West Java town of Tasikmalaya yesterday had its origins in what the local people perceived as another act of injustice by the police.

The Republika daily yesterday gave a full account of the source of the discontent that ended in people venting their anger on public property.

According to the newspaper, three teachers of the Riyadul Ulum Wadda'wah pesantren, an Islamic boarding school in Condong village, Cibereum district, were summoned to the police precinct Monday.

The three teachers -- Habib, Ihsan and Mahmud Farid -- were questioned about the punishment they gave 14-year old Rizal, a non-resident student at the school. Rizal is the son of Corporal Nursamsi, one of the officers at the precinct.

The boy had reported earlier that he had been soaked in the school's pond as punishment for stealing.

Nursamsi had contacted the headmaster for an explanation, and this had been duly given to him. But apparently not content with the explanation, he summoned the three teachers to the station.

During the questioning the teachers were beaten by Nursamsi and eight other officers, said a fourth teacher, who had accompanied the three, reported Republika.

The three men were thrown into a cell.

The fourth teacher, identified as Ate, escaped and related the story to the school administrators, who then contacted Tasikmalaya deputy regent Oesman Roesman.

The official then contacted Tasikmalaya Police Chief Lt. Col. Suherman, who ordered his men to release the three detainees.

They were taken to a hospital for treatment.

"The problem has been settled. We don't want to make this any worse," he was quoted as saying by Republika.

As events proved yesterday, it was obviously too late. (06)