Police planned Bima violence: Kontras

The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has alleged that the police had planned the violence that occurred in Bima on Dec. 24.

Kontras coordinator Haris Azhar pointed out that a number of ambulances had been stationed around the Sape Seaport before the riot broke out in the area, which indicated that the police had anticipated casualties in their operation.

“We can see from this that the violence that took place was planned,” he said Tuesday, as quoted by tempo.co.

Another proof of premeditated violence, Haris added, was the use of weapons by officers at the instruction of the West Nusa Tenggara Police Chief.

“It was not only the mobile brigade (Brimob), but police intelligence officers and snipers also used weapons openly,” he said.

According to Harris, after conducting its own investigation on the Bima violence case, Kontras found that the attack by the police in the incident could be grouped as a serious human rights violation.

“One of the most important elements of a serious human rights violation is systematic planning,” he said.

Based on its investigation, Kontras found that a total of 81 people had fallen victim to police violence in Bima, including the three that died from short distance gunshots.

On Dec. 24, officers and protestors clashed when a number of residents, citing environmental concerns, demonstrated against the Bima administration by blocking the road to Sape port, demanding the revocation of a mining permit issued to PT Sumber Mineral Nusantara. (awd)