Police Officer Assaulted While Separating Youth Fight in Kendal, Two Suspects Arrested
A police officer became a victim of assault whilst performing security duties during Ramadan in Kendal regency, Central Java. The incident occurred when officers attempted to break up a fight between youths in Krajan Kulon Village, Kaliwungu District, in the early hours of Sunday, 8 March 2026.
Kendal Police Chief Hendry Susanto Sianipar explained that the incident began when officers were conducting a joint patrol with Kaliwungu sub-district coordination forum members. Around 3:30 AM, officers received a report from residents about a commotion that had escalated into a fight at the Dukuh Tridasari junction. Upon arrival, police found two youths engaged in a fight witnessed by several of their associates.
The officers’ attempt to stop the altercation triggered a brawl. One suspect, identified as AF (17), suddenly threw a punch at the right cheek of the police officer, causing the victim to fall. Shortly afterwards, another suspect identified as M (20) also committed violence by striking the back of the victim’s head twice.
The situation at the scene became heated. The Kaliwungu sub-district police chief and other officers who attempted to control the situation were also targets of assault before the perpetrators fled through nearby alleyways.
Suspects Arrested in Less Than 24 Hours
Despite their initial escape, police immediately pursued and conducted sweeps in the surrounding area. As a result, both perpetrators were secured within less than 24 hours of the incident.
Kendal Police Chief Hendry Susanto Sianipar stated that the aggressive actions were triggered by the perpetrators’ emotional reaction to their fight being stopped by police. Additionally, alcohol consumption was suspected to have exacerbated the situation.
“The perpetrators did not accept their fight being dispersed by police. Alcohol consumption was also suspected to have triggered the aggressive actions that resulted in the attack on officers,” said Kendal Police Chief Hendry Susanto Sianipar.
Facing up to Five Years’ Imprisonment
Based on preliminary investigation results, the perpetrators were charged under several articles of Indonesia’s new Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP). Both face a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment under Article 262 concerning joint violence and Article 466 related to assault charges.