Two people shot in Indramayu brawl

Two people shot in Indramayu brawl

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Two gangs of youth became involved in a brawl late on Saturday in
Parean Girang subdistrict, Kandanghaur district, Indramayu
regency, leaving two people shot and dozens of houses in the area
damaged.

The incident began on Saturday night when several people from
Taman Block and Nagrag II Block traded insults near the
demarcation line between their respective areas. It was still not
clear what the cause of the insults were.

"As they continued shouting, more and more youths arrived on
the scene and the verbal dispute turned into a brawl," said
Karmidi, a 40-year-old eyewitness was quoted as saying by Antara.

Every means available was used by each of the groups to attack
their opponents, including stones and sticks. The stone-throwing
damaged a number of houses.

Many mothers and children fled the area afraid of becoming
caught up in the stone-throwing.

As the stoning continued, the sound of gunshots were
unexpectedly heard. It was not immediately clear who did the
shooting.

"Many of the youths from both sides ran off afraid they would
be shot," said Karmidi.

The brawl came to an end immediately after the gunshots were
heard. At least two people sustained gunshot wounds. Some
eyewitnesses alleged that the gunshots came from the Taman Block
side as the two victims were Nagrag II youths, who were later
named as Ato, 18 and Muhammad, 17.

Ato was shot in his left abdomen while Muhammad was shot in
the right leg.

An official at the Kandanghaur community health center said
that the two had been treated at the health center but had been
permitted to return home a few hours later.

Adj. Sr. Comr. Johni Suroto, the chief of the Indramayu
Police, confirmed the incident. He said that police investigators
had questioned an Indonesian Military (TNI) major, who had
allegedly shot at the Nagrag youths.

The military officer admitted firing the shots, but said he
only intended to disperse the youths and put an end to the brawl.

Police held have detained three persons for their alleged
involvement in the brawl: Sulaeman, 18, from Taman Block, and Ade
Sonjaya, 17 and Asep Sonjaya, 16, from the neighboring Waled
Block. Situation was still tense until Monday morning in the
area. Indramayu Police personnel were still patrolling the area
on Monday morning to prevent any recurrence of the brawl.