Zaky Pawas – The Indonesian Red Cross has exonerated the police of any inhumane treatment of residents in the April 14 Tanjung Priok riots, saying the authorities' conduct was by the book.

"After a week-long investigation, the Red Cross [PMI] has concluded that police handled the incident humanely," lead investigator Ulla Nuchrawaty said on Thursday after meeting with Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Wahyono.

The Red Cross and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) are running parallel probes into the riot that stemmed from an attempt by public order officials to evict residents from a disputed plot of land that is also the site of Islamic missionary Mbah Priok's tomb. Three public order officers were killed.

Ulla did not deny allegations that police had allowed public order officers to be mobbed, saying it was understandable in the heat of the moment. "It may have just been emotions boiling over," she said.

The investigation into the number of victims had revealed there were 23 police officers injured, and not 18 as initially reported, but that would be verified later, she said.

Ulla said two public order officers and two civilians injured in the riot were still hospitalized. Some 200 people were injured in the incident, some of whom may be left with permanent disabilities, Ulla said.

The Red Cross has until May 10 to wrap up its investigation and submit its findings to Governor Fauzi Bowo.

On Friday, Red Cross investigators will meet with representatives of the squatters, Komnas HAM, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Social Affairs Ministry, to discuss who could legitimately claim to be an heir to Mbah Priok, whose tomb is at the center of the land dispute.

"We want to get this straight once and for all," Ulla said. "Keep in mind the family tree stretches 244 years, so we don't want any more claims popping up further down the road."

Meanwhile, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said officers at Thursday's three-hour meeting with the Red Cross had explained that their preparations and conduct before, during and after the planned eviction had been by the book.

"Our priority the whole time was the safety of the people," he said. "We have the video footage to prove it."

Police had questioned 19 witnesses over the incident but still had no suspects, Boy said.