Amir Tejo, Surabaya – The National Commission on Human Rights has accused police in Mojokerto, East Java, of gross human rights abuses in their treatment of suspected rioters arrested during violent protests in the lead-up to elections for the local district head.
The protest, which took place on May 21 outside the Mojokerto Legislative Council building, was believed to have been in response to the local polling commission's decision to disqualify one of the candidates, a respected Muslim cleric.
At least 19 people were injured in the violence, in which rioters set fire to a meeting room inside the council building and destroyed 22 vehicles belonging to legislative officials and the incumbent district head.
After visiting the district to probe allegations of police brutality, Syarifudin Nghulma Simeulue, from the rights commission, also known as Komnas HAM, said on Wednesday the abuse claims had been made by protesters he had interviewed.
He said Komnas HAM had set up a team to investigate the claims following a meeting on June 9, at which the commission adopted the resolution that the accusations be looked into.
The May protest began with an estimated 200 people, calling themselves the People's Empowerment Committee, rallying outside the council building as three candidates for district head prepared to campaign.
The demonstrators were reportedly incensed that a fourth candidate, Dimyati Rasyid, a local religious figure popularly known as Gus Dim, had been disqualified for failing the mandatory health examination.
Armed with homemade weapons, the protesters attempted to force their way into the council building but were stopped by police. The mob then attacked the police barricade, broke through and ransacked the building. East Java Police arrested several rioters and later named 13 of them suspects.
The district election proceeded peacefully at the 1,843 polling stations across Mojokerto on June 6, in stark contrast to the earlier scenes of violence. Election officials said 789,961 voters cast ballots across Mojokerto's 18 sub-districts.
Musthofa Kamal defeated incumbent district head Suwandi by a landslide, with 65 percent of the vote compared to 32 percent.