Security forces probe shooting in Atambua

The Jakarta Post - Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Yemris Fointuna and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, Jakarta

Both the police and military are determined to thoroughly investigate a fatal shooting incident in Atambua, West Nusa Tenggara, in which one soldier died and two others were seriously injured, an officer said Monday.

In the shooting incident, believed to be caused by a misunderstanding between Belu Police officers and soldiers of Satya Yudha Bhakti battalion, Second Pvt. Andik Hidiharta died of gunshot wounds, while First Sgt. Heri and Second Pvt. Bambang were injured.

"We will thoroughly investigate the case. A preliminary investigation shows that the victim was possibly shot by his own weapon, not during the shooting spree with the police officers as reported by the media," East Nusa Tenggara Police spokesperson Comr. Marthen Radja said Monday in Kupang.

Kupang Military commander Col. Arif Rachman and East Nusa Tenggara Police chief Brig. Gen. Robertus Sadarum met with their subordinates and asked them to promise not to continue brawling, which is feared would further ruin the image of the two institutions.

"No Beli Police officers are permitted to leave their complex. The same order has been imposed on the soldiers as well," Marthen said.

"The problem has been settled. I and the East Nusa Tenggara Police chief have already visited Atambua, where a series of meetings with all high ranking officials of the regional administration took place," Arif said.

In Jakarta, National Police chief Gen. Sutanto said Monday the Atambua clash would be resolved internally within the respective institutions.

Sutanto said the cause of the clash was similar to what had sparked clashes in the past.

"... fighting over women or brushing against each other or a dispute over the ownership of a motorcycle. They're just like any other young men out there," he said, admitting it would be impossible to completely prevent similar incidents from occurring.

"That is of course unless you tie them all up, which isn't possible right?" he said, while insisting that such incidents did not mean that the police force was not professional.

Sanctions for those involved in such clashes, he said, ranged from disciplinary action and imprisonment in the case of general crimes to dismissal from the force.

Meanwhile, Atambua was still deserted as of Monday with a number of shops and shopping centers starting to open even though there were hardly any visitors.

Public transportation had also started operating. No police officers or soldiers were seen.

Besides causing the death of a soldier, the clash between the soldiers and police officers damaged the houses of Belu Police chief and deputy chief, a local traffic police post and the local telecommunications office.

The walls and windows of nearby buildings were scarred by bullet holes due to the shooting spree.

First Sgt. Heri who was treated at Wirasakti hospital in Kupang said the incident was sparked by a dispute between 10 soldiers who were passing by the Belu Police Station on five motorcycles on their way home.

Heri said the soldiers stopped after they were hit by a stone from the direction of the Belu Police Headquarters. An argument ensued that ended up in an exchange of gunfire.
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