Residents Throw Snake During Protest in Indramayu

Residents in Indramayu expressed their protests regarding environmental, educational, and economic issues. A snake brought in a sack was released amid the demonstrating crowd and then thrown towards the guarding officers.

Action coordinator Rakhmat Hidayat stated that throwing the snake was a satire against Lucky, who had previously released snakes into rice fields for pest control. Rakhmat considered Lucky’s action as merely ceremonial, not a solution for the residents.

“This snake-throwing symbol is our form of criticism against policies that appear symbolic. The community needs solutions that truly have a felt impact,” said Rakhmat.

Environmental issues were one of the most highlighted concerns. According to the protesters, there is a waste disposal site that is not operating optimally because rubbish is not regularly collected. As a result, rubbish piles create new problems in the midst of society.

The crowd also criticised several local government programmes presented in the Accountability Statement Report (LKPJ). According to the protesters, those programmes do not match the conditions felt by the residents.

Head of Public Relations at Indramayu Police Resort, AKP Tarno, said the rally proceeded safely until its conclusion. He stated that the thrown snake was immediately evacuated by officers.

It is known that the thrown snake was of the species Xenochrophis vittatus, or commonly called ‘ular kisik’ by Indramayu residents. Additionally, a rice field snake was thrown.