Ansyor Idrus, Palembang – An investigation by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) found that the South Sumatra Police were responsible for the shooting of civilians during a land dispute in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, late last month.
Komnas HAM said in its report on the incident that the South Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Dikdik Mulyana Arief Manysur gave the order to members of the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) to resort to extreme measures when necessary.
"We found evidence that the South Sumatra Police chief ordered Brimob to carry out persuasive and repressive measures in dealing with local residents in Ogan Ilir," Nur Kholis of Komnas HAM said on Monday.
Nur Kholis said that penalties should be given to the highest ranking officer in South Sumatra police, not just officers on the ground. "Sanctions should be imposed not only on the Brimob officers who are found guilty, but also to their commanders and the South Sumatra Police chief," he added.
A 12-year-old boy, Angga Prima, died in a clash between locals and security personnel during a land conflict between state-owned plantation company PTPN VII Cinta Manis and local residents in Ogan Ilir on July 27. Four other residents were injured in the incident while nine residents were arrested for allegedly possessing sharp weapons.
According to Nur Kholis, investigators have found bullets and shell casings at the site, which undermined the testimony by the regional police that they only fired rubber bullets. "Our findings are supported by doctors of the National Police who found that wounds on Angga's head were caused by live rounds," Nur Kholis said.
He said that one of the survivors of the incident, Rusman, 36, had his left arm amputated. "The forensics team said that rubber bullets wouldn't break bones like that," he said.
Another victim, Farida, 44, had a bullet pass through her upper left arm, which was very unlikely to happen if rubber bullets were used, Nur Kholis said.
National Police spokesman Anang Iskandar said that the police investigation team would need more time to determine if the projectiles were from live rounds.
"The police standard operating procedure is to first preempt and prevent before finally taking action, based on the conditions on the ground," Anang Iskandar told The Jakarta Post.
"We are currently investigating 120 Brimob officers, six of whom have to go through further investigation. Those who are found guilty will be punished based on the law," he added.
Anang said that the Brimob officers are not entirely to blame. He said that some witnesses said the villagers were attacked the Brimob officers. The National Police haven't come up with evidence to corroborate the statement.
The Komnas HAM said that members of the Brimob took extreme measures in dealing with the protesters.
"Some witnesses said that Brimob officers fired warning shots, followed by the shots that killed Angga and injured several others. We can't find any evidence to back up the claim by the police that they were attacked by the local residents first," Nur Kholis said.
Separately, the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) said that local residents in Ogan Ilir are still dealing with post-traumatic shock. "Women are afraid to go back to work and children reluctant to go to school," Desti Murdijana, Komnas Perempuan deputy chairperson said.
The majority of Ogan Ilir residents work as farmers, woodcarvers and blacksmiths and songket (South Sumatran traditional fabric) weavers.
She said that male residents were reluctant to leave their houses for work as they were still facing threats from the police. "Rumors abound that after Idul Fitri holiday the police will arrest more people," Desti said. (nad)