President orders probe into boy's shooting
Conflicting claims over 13-year-old's death after police showdown
- Ryan Dagur, Jakarta
- Indonesia
- July 31, 2012
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered an investigation into the death of a 13-year-old boy during a clash between police and villagers in South Sumatra.
The probe will look into whether officers used excessive force during a standoff in Limbang Jaya village on Friday, said Julian Aldrin Pasha, a spokesman for the president.
“The President has instructed the coordinating minister and his staff to follow up and determine the best outcome,” he said. “Whoever was in charge of this, we will ask that they take responsibility.”
The incident happened when nearly 100 police officers went to the village after a complaint that 127 tonnes of fertilizer had gone missing from a state-run plantation company, Perkebunan Nusantara VII.
According to the police statement, they were met by villagers carrying sharp weapons and throwing stones. They responded by throwing tear gas and firing warning shots into the air.
Three villagers were injured and the boy, Angga bin Darmawan, reportedly died on the spot after being shot in the head.
However, National Police Spokesman Agus Rainto claims that no bullet was found in the boy's body.
“So far, we have determined that the boy was wounded by a sharp object,” he said in his report, adding that investigations were ongoing.
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The probe will look into whether officers used excessive force during a standoff in Limbang Jaya village on Friday, said Julian Aldrin Pasha, a spokesman for the president.
“The President has instructed the coordinating minister and his staff to follow up and determine the best outcome,” he said. “Whoever was in charge of this, we will ask that they take responsibility.”
The incident happened when nearly 100 police officers went to the village after a complaint that 127 tonnes of fertilizer had gone missing from a state-run plantation company, Perkebunan Nusantara VII.
According to the police statement, they were met by villagers carrying sharp weapons and throwing stones. They responded by throwing tear gas and firing warning shots into the air.
Three villagers were injured and the boy, Angga bin Darmawan, reportedly died on the spot after being shot in the head.
However, National Police Spokesman Agus Rainto claims that no bullet was found in the boy's body.
“So far, we have determined that the boy was wounded by a sharp object,” he said in his report, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Related reports
President wants action on Soeharto massacre
