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)