Two men shot dead for resisting arrest

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead yesterday a bogus police officer and a robber in East and Central Jakarta after they resisted arrest.

City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata confirmed that the police shot dead an unidentified man, later known as a bogus officer, in Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta. "He tried to resist arrest," he said.

He said the "policeman" tried to attack officers who wanted to arrest him for asking for money from public transportation drivers in the area.

"He used a sickle to attack the officers and ignored warning shots," Hamami said. "He was wearing a police uniform underneath his jacket. But we did not find any police identity cards."

He said the body of the man was still at the Kramatjati Police Hospital.

The second shooting took place in Johar Baru, Central Jakarta.

Dian Suryaman was shot by a policeman after robbing a woman of a gold necklace.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. M. Ibrahim said the police arrested Dian Suryaman, 23, soon after the robbery.

"He was taken to his house to pick up the stolen necklace, but he escaped through the back door upon arrival," Ibrahim said.

The officers chased Dian and rearrested him at a nearby cemetery on Jl. Kawi, but the suspect slashed the left hand of one of the police officers with a knife.

According to Ibrahim, the police shot the suspect in the back, after firing two warning shots.

At least 27 people have been shot to death in the city and surrounding areas since January. The police said they were shot for resisting arrest.

Last year, the police shot dead 46 people for the same reason.

Hamami, defending his subordinates, said the police had the right to shoot suspects who resisted arrest. "The police are allowed to shoot people when their lives are threatened."

He said previously the police would continue to monitor ex- convicts and take stern action if they committed crimes. (jun/04)