Two policemen killed in Majalengka

CIREBON, West Java: Two plainclothes police officers were killed by a mob in the West Java town of Majalengka after being mistaken for motorcycle thieves.

The chief of the Majalengka Police, Adj. Sr. Comr. Muktiono, confirmed on Tuesday the incident occurred on Monday when the two officers were investigating motorcycle thieves in Cikijing subdistrict, Majalengka.

"Second Brig. Mayan Rafiana was burned alive while his partner, Second Brig. Asep Irawan was beaten to death," he told The Jakarta Post by telephone here on Tuesday.

The bodies of the two were handed over to their relatives for burial on Tuesday.

He chief said he regretted the incident, which took place because the mob took the law into its own hands.

"They were not criminals. They were investigating thieves," he said.

He said a number of people had been taken into custody for further questioning. --JP