Authorities Probe Police Involvement in Salim Kancil Murder
6 October 2015 22:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of East Java Police's Public Relations Department, Sr. Comr. R.P Argo Yuwono, said that the Police is probing into allegations that three Police members were involved in the torture and murder of activist Salim Kancil in Lumajang. East Java Police is currently examining the role and motive behind their involvement in the fatal crime.
Salim Kancil was murdered for his opposition to the illegal sand mines on Watu Pecak Beach in Pasiran District, Lumajang, East Java. According to Argo, the three men are comprised of both non-commissioned members as well as active members of the police force. "We are still investigating their roles - so no information on their identities will be given for the time being," he said on Tuesday, October 6, 2015.
Argo said that the Police will exercise caution and will presume all men as innocent until proved otherwise.
The saga began when Salim and other activists spoke out and demanded that the illegal sand mining on Lumajang's coastline be stopped. To date, 37 people have been named as suspects - some on illegal mining charges, while others will be tried for the murder and torture of the deceased and his colleague, Tosan.
Both men were tortured by a mob at Selok Awar-Awar's Village Hall, and the incident have also seen the naming of Selok Awar-Awar's Village Chief, Hariyanto, as a suspect in the murder.
The Head of Pasiran District Police, Adj. Comr. Eko Hari Suprapto, said that a call was made to Pasiran Police to report an assault at a field across from Selok Awar-Awar Elementary School. "Our members were immediately dispatched, and they only found out about the murder at the village hall when they got to the scene," he said.
SITI JIHAN SYAHFAUZIAH