Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – A number of Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel armed with rifles, allegedly assaulted the Pahae Julu Police headquarters in North Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra, on Thursday afternoon, resulting in six police officers sustaining injuries.
The attack was allegedly initiated by personnel from Infantry Battalion (Yonif) 123/RJW of the Bukit Barisan Military Command (Kodam) 1. They were said to have caused damage to equipment in the police headquarters.
North Sumatra Police spokesperson, Adj. Sr. Comr. MP Nainggolan, said that the attack was triggered by a miscommunication between police officers and military personnel earlier that day.
Earlier on Thursday, several police officers were managing traffic at the trans-Sumatra road at Silangkitang village, North Tapanuli, following a truck accident in the area.
A minibus carrying military personnel forced its way through the police barricade. The police officers responded by trying to stop the minibus. However, solders inside the minibus were offended what they regarded as the police officers' curt manner when stopping them.
The initial incident was resolved, however, not long afterward, several soldiers then assaulted the Pahae Julu Police headquarters at around 2:10 p.m.
Nainggolan said the dispute was brought under contral after both sides went through mediation.
"It's finished. There is no more trouble," the police spokesperson told The Jakarta Post, urging all parties to restrain themselves.
He added that the injured police officers had been treated at a nearby hospital, while damage to the building had been repaired. Nainggolan dismissed rumors that rifles were fired during the assault.
North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Martuani Sormin Siregar said the situation was now under control. "Military personnel allegedly involved in the attack are now being investigated by the military police."
Bukit Barisan Kodam spokesperson Col. Zeni Djunaidhi said the TNI had formed a team to investigate the case and had sought clarification from military personnel and police officers involved in the spat in the Silangkitang village. He asserted that the TNI would never tolerate personnel who went rogue.
"The Indonesian Military is committed to ensuring that the soldiers allegedly involved in this dispute are brought to justice without any impunity. Everyone found guilty in this case will be punished based on their respective mistakes," said Zeni. (gis)