Three shot in gambling raid

Three shot in gambling raid

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Three people were injured when police opened fire while raiding an illicit gambling den at Polipolia market here over the weekend.

Among those injured was a nine-year-old boy named Obed, who was shot in the back. The other two were identified as Siri, 60, who was shot in the arm, and Anju, 17, who was shot in the arm and chin.

All three victims had nothing to do with the gambling activities.

Kolaka Police Precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Joko Mulyono confirmed the incident on Monday, saying, however, that he had yet to receive reports giving details of the shooting.

"I'm going to visit the accident site to find out what has really happened," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Siri said that people were shocked upon hearing gunshots fired by the policemen raiding the gambling den, which was open every day at the market place.

"People ran for their lives and the gambling operators allegedly slipped among the people to escape," Siri said. "I had just returned from a traditional dentist at the market and stopped to see a group of people gambling. I told them to stop before policemen raided them." A stray bullet hit him.

"Obed the nine-year-old boy was sitting, waiting for an ojek (motorcycle taxi) to go home when a stray bullet hit him," Siri said.

Local residents protesting the random shooting destroyed Lidongi police station, demanding that police be held responsible.