Suspected latex thieves set afire by mob in Bandarlampung

Rodi bin Mansyur, 24, and Edy bin Yunus, 20, of Ujungkarang subdistrict in Lampung died after being set on fire by an angry mob in Sumberagung subdistrict on Monday evening after local residents suspected them of stealing latex.

Their deaths incited physical clashes between hundreds of people from both subdistricts, as Ujungkarang residents armed with swords and traditional knives flocked to Sumberagung to take revenge, burning houses and motorcycles.

“All of a sudden, hundreds of people entered my house, beat me repeatedly, took my motorcycle and burned it,” said Sarino, 50, of Sumberagung.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed from the North Lampung Police and North Sungkai Police precincts, with backup from the Lampung Police’s Mobile Brigade Unit, to help restore the peace. As of Tuesday, tensions were still running high in the two neighboring subdistricts.

All access roads leading to Sumberagung were blocked. Passerby were redirected to a road operated by state-owned PT Perkebunan Nusantara VII Bungamayang.

North Lampung Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Frans Sentoe said they were still investigating the deaths. “We will stay on guard at the two subdistricts,” he said Tuesday, adding that the police had arrested a number of people allegedly involved.

Lampung Police chief Brig. Gen. Sulistyo Iskak said he would take firm action against those behind the deaths of Rodi and Edy. “The accused should have been reported to the police, not burned instead,” he said.

Rodi and Edy were not the first to die in such a mob action. Last year, Yatin, 40, was also burned to death in a similar incident. But, Yatin was killed by his own neighbors in front of his wife and children.

Lampung Police data shows that 12 people have been burned to death by angry mobs in the last 10 years.

Jauhari Zailani of Bandarlampung University said such a phenomenon was an indication of people’s frustration and lack of trust in the law.