TEMPO.CO, Palembang - Two civilians, Agung (18) and Amiru (22), were shot during a clash between locals and officers of the Palembang Air Force, Wednesday, Apr. 24. The clash occurred when local residents fought off a land clearance carried out by the TNI Air Force. Two members of the Air Force, privates Astrio Windarto and Rohmadi, were also injured in the incident. The victims were taken to the Bhayangkara Hospital.
"We did not think they would be using live ammunition to drive us away," said Mustakim, resident of Sukodadi Village, yesterday afternoon.
Mustakim said the incident began when the residents of Sukadadi village resisted the eviction over a 200-hectare land carried by TNI Air Force members. TNI said that the land, located near the Palembang Air Force base, belongs to the state. Meanwhile, local residents claim that they own the land after living there for decades.
"There were about 60 people attacking us with sharp weapons and air guns when around 30 officers were clearing the land. We had warned them to back off," First Lieutenant Arief Yudi, Company Commander of Palembang Airfield's Asset Protection Task Force, told Tempo.
Shortly after the warning, more people came and the mob grew even bigger. "We were forced to fire shots to defend ourselves," Arief said. As a result of the incident, Private Astrio Windarto suffered gun wounds in his left chest while Private Rohmadi was stabbed in the head.
PARLIZA HENDRAWAN
