Palu – Human rights activists claim police officers are behind the recent two-day clash in Buol, Central Sulawesi, on April 19 and 20, saying the incident was not merely caused by aggrieved soccer supporters.

Human rights activists at the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Sulawesi and the Center for the Development of Law and Human Rights Studies (LPS-HAM) Central Sulawesi branch reported local residents were angry after they discovered 11 police officers had attacked some residents.

Kontras Sulawesi coordinator Asman Sahaluddin said eight more officers had attacked a resident in a different location. The alleged incidents angered residents, who later damaged the Biau and Momunu police stations, six police motorcycles and an ambulance. The clash also injured several residents and officers.

Asman confirmed the clash was not triggered by angry supporters after a soccer match between local team Persbul Buol and PS Persewangi of East Java's Banyuwangi on April 19.

Both Kontras Sulawesi and LPS-HAM Central Sulawesi urged the National Police to conduct an investigation. There is a history of clashes in Buol, a 12 – hour car journey to the north of Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi.

In 2010, police officers fatally shot seven residents and injured many others in a clash triggered by the death of a detainee in the custody of the Biau Police.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/05/08/police-behind-buol-clash-activists.html