Perceived injustice causes latest trouble

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)