Policeman tortures Banpol member

Policeman tortures Banpol member

JAKARTA (JP): A military policeman allegedly tortured a
civilian police assistant (Banpol) member who helped people
crossing Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, on Thursday morning.

The Banpol man, identified as Muhaimin, was helping stop
vehicles passing the street near the City Council building when
the traffic light turned red to allow pedestrians to cross the
street, but an Isuzu panther van driven by military policeman
Second Sgt. Lukman went through the red light.

Irritated, Muhaimin knocked on the back of the van with his
hand prompting Lukman to stop his car.

Wearing a uniform and a pistol on his waist, Lukman got out of
his van and came toward Muhaimin. Without any explanation, Lukman
slapped Muhaimin twice.

Muhaimin apologized, but this did not help as Lukman continued
to hit him. Muhaimin ran to his office at the City Revenue
Office, next to the council building, but Lukman pursued him.

Inside the office, Lukman again punched and kicked Muhaimin in
the stomach until the victim passed out in front of other
surprised Banpol members, who looked on, dumbfounded.

City's Public Order Office chief Firman Hutajulu confirmed the
battery incident, saying that the "misunderstanding has been
settled between the two parties".

"Don't blow it up. We have settled the misunderstanding," the
newly installed Firman told reporters after meeting the military
police officer. (jun)