Four People Named Suspects in C. Kalimantan`s Forest Fire

TEMPO.CO, Sampit - The Police of East Kotawaringin district, Central Kalimantan, have named four suspects allegedly accused of committing forest fire in a number of areas in the district.

"We have been investigating six cases. Four people have been named suspects. The frequent rains (falling in the district) does not discourage us to investigate the fire cases," Chief of the East Kotawaringin District Police Adjunct Chief Commissioner Mohammad Rommel said on Tuesday.

However, Rommel stopped short of revealing the four suspects. He said the police had investigated the fire cases in Ujung Pandaran, Samuda, Baamang and Mentawa Baru Ketapang.

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One of the suspects has begun to stand trial. But the suspect is only accused of violating a regional regulation. "He set fire to a pile of trash but the fire then spread to nearby trees, which led to the fires. The other cases are still being investigated."

"Only one of the four suspects has been detained. The suspect is believed to be involved in Samuda fire case. The other suspects that have not been detained means that the investigation of their cases are stopped. The police are also investigating the case of large fire happened in Mentaya Hilir Selatan district," he explained.

Rommel said the police would not tolerate any land arsonist. Land and forest fires have far-reaching impact, he said. He also called on the public to help prevent and mitigate land and forest fires.

ANTARA