Villagers in TTU Brutally Tie and Drag Three Men Following Theft Allegations
Three men were tied with rope, laid on the ground, then dragged en masse along a highway, sustaining injuries. The brutal act by villagers in Fafinesu B Village, Insana Fafinesu Subdistrict, Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), went viral on social media and is now under police investigation.
Victims identified as PS, RT, and AT. Police confirmed the entire incident is being handled.
Dragged by Villagers and Accused of Theft
Videos circulating online show the three men initially tied with rope and laid on the ground. Villagers then searched their belongings. Shouts from the crowd accused them of theft. One agitated man threatened to burn them. ‘Ete mait bensin he totu (fetch gasoline to burn). Ete mait tas na nok sa es na (take that bag, what’s inside?)’ said a man in the viral video speaking Dawan language, as reported by detikBali on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
Afterwards, the bound men were dragged along the highway, resulting in injuries to the back of the head, thighs, buttocks, and entire body. ‘Pull, pull. They’re thieves, stealing from your house again,’ a man recording the video shouted while cursing the victims.
Police Confirm Incident
North East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Police Public Relations Chief, Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra confirmed the viral video. He stated the incident occurred on Sunday, 24 May 2026 evening. According to Henry, TTU Police Resort personnel immediately responded to the scene after the crowd unrest led to the assault on the three men. Authorities then controlled the situation.
‘The victims were evacuated by TTU Police Resort and Insana Utara Police Station personnel to Kefamenanu Regional Hospital for medical treatment after suffering serious injuries to the face and head,’ Henry said.
Begins with Night Patrol Suspicion
Henry explained the incident began when Fafinesu B Village residents conducted a night patrol around 7:30 PM WITA due to frequent thefts from traditional houses causing community concern. During the patrol, villagers became suspicious of PS, RT, and AT passing on two motorcycles. When stopped, the men claimed they were collecting honey in the village and had permission from a local resident. However, after verification, the resident denied giving such permission. The already anxious crowd, due to rampant thefts, became agitated. ‘This led to the assault on the three victims,’ Henry said.
Shortly after, TTU Police Resort personnel were deployed to the scene. Around 10:15 PM WITA, police evacuated the victims to Kefamenanu Regional Hospital for medical treatment. ‘TTU Police Chief AKBP Eliana Papote visited the victims at the hospital on Monday, 25 May 2026 to ensure they received optimal medical care,’ Henry said.
Henry stressed the police are still investigating the case and urged the public to remain calm and not be influenced by unverified information. ‘TTU Police Resort is handling the entire incident professionally and transparently,’ he added.
Police Ban Sharing Victim Videos
Police also urged the public not to share videos of the abuse against PS, RT, and AT. ‘I appeal to media colleagues and the public not to share photos or videos related to the Fafinesu incident,’ TTU Police Chief AKBP Eliana Papote told detikBali.
Eliana stated the ban on sharing photos and videos aims to prevent increased public unrest and minimise post-incident risks. She also urged the public to respect the victims and their families. ‘I appeal to the public to remain calm, maintain a safe and conducive environment, respect the legal process, and leave handling to TTU Police Resort,’ Eliana said.
According to Eliana, TTU Police Resort is committed to handling the case seriously, professionally, and transparently. Police have conducted a crime scene investigation and taken statements from witnesses and victims. ‘The process is ongoing. The incident has been followed up on, and victims are receiving intensive treatment at Kefamenanu Regional Hospital,’ Eliana said.