Police Question Witnesses Over Alleged Burning of Three Students; One Dead

The Central Lombok Resort Police (Polres Lombok Tengah) have begun investigating an alleged case involving the burning of three students at an Islamic boarding school located in Sengkol II Hamlet, Aik Darek Village, Batukliang District, which occurred in November 2025.

The Head of Criminal Investigation at Central Lombok Police, AKP Punguan Hutahaean, stated that the authorities only received a formal report from the victims’ parents on Monday (2/6/2026). He noted that the complainants were scheduled to appear at the police headquarters to provide their statements.

‘We received the new information today, and the victims’ parents are also reporting it today,’ he said via WhatsApp on Wednesday (3/6/2026). Punguan explained that following the report, the police immediately took initial steps by questioning several witnesses who were aware of the incident. ‘Starting today, we are conducting witness examinations and other investigative measures,’ he added.

The alleged burning of the three students in the Batukliang District was revealed after a video of the victim circulated widely on social media. In the video, sourced from a Facebook account, a victim is seen crying in pain while displaying various parts of their body covered in bandages at a hospital. The footage also captures family members attempting to comfort the victim, who expressed intense pain in their torso and legs. The post has garnered 65,000 views, 312 comments, and 307 shares.

The Chairman of the Mataram City Child Protection Agency (LPA), Joko Jumadi, confirmed the incident, noting that while the event took place in November 2025, it only became known to the public after the video went viral. ‘This case at the boarding school happened in November 2025. I only found out after the video circulated recently,’ Joko said on Wednesday (3/6/2026).

According to preliminary information, three students were targeted. It is alleged they were doused with fuel before being set on fire by fellow students. As a result of the incident, two victims sustained serious burns, while one victim tragically passed away.