Two die in Batam riot

Batam riot claims two lives

Fadli The Jakarta Post Batam

Two men were killed in rioting involving 100 members of the Barisan Brigade youth organization at a major taxi stand in Batamindo Industrial Estate at Mukakuning on Batam island on Tuesday night.

The victims were identified as Gomgom Nadapdap, 35, a food vendor, and Gotma Sihombing, 24, a taxi middle man.

Head of the Barelang Police station Sr. Comr. Suhartono said on Wednesday that the riot started when a member of the youth organization was waiting for a taxi. A middle man asked him his destination, to which he replied rudely. The middleman then punched him.

A few hours later he returned with 100 Barisan Brigade members, who ransacked food stalls and attacked taxi middle men.

The two victims, Nadapdap and Gomgom, were rushed to Otorita Batam Hospital but died soon after arrival.

"We've arrested eight youth members allegedly involved in the killings," explained Suhartono.

The police said riots occurred frequently in the industrial complex. He said he had often called on local authorities to build public facilities, including a bus terminal, and to issue regulations against middle men.

He said the presence of middle men at the taxi stand had caused much social unrest. Currently, there are around 200 middle men working in three shifts.

The police, supported by 100 security guards of the Batamindo Industrial Estate, have been put on alert.