"For cases in Wadas Village and Parigi Moutong, we can not intervene yet since the police have yet to declare that a criminal offence has occurred there, but we have dispatched teams that can promptly provide protection to victims and witnesses once police's declaration has been made," LPSK Chairperson Hasto Atmojo Suroyo said.
Despite no reports or complaints made by witnesses and victims involved in the cases, the dispatched teams will be ready to assist them, he told local journalists on the sidelines of the handover of compensation funds for victims of past terrorism acts in Denpasar, Bali, on Friday.
"We will remain pro-active by dispatching teams to the villages though we have yet to receive reports and findings regarding the two cases," Suroyo said.
Earlier, a scuffle erupted in Wadas Village, Purworejo District, Central Java on Tuesday (Feb 8), when residents resisted police presence to monitor land measurement for the construction of Bener Dam that will affect the village.
Related news: Wadas case: Human rights body submits initial findings
A few days later on Sunday (Feb 13), a clash between police officers and residents broke out in Khatulistiwa Village, Parigi Moutong District, Central Sulawesi.
Residents' protest to demand the revocation of the concession permit of PT Trio Kencana that encompasses areas in Kasimbar, Toribulu, and South Tinombo Sub-districts took a violent turn when a brawl resulted in one resident being shot.
Responding to the violence, Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has dispatched a team to investigate the violence at the two villages.
Regarding the situation at Wadas Village, the general clarified that the police deployment was not aimed to harm residents but to ensure the tension in the village would not erupt into a more violent clash.
"We are committed to welcoming the National Commission for Human Rights' investigation in the village, and we will follow up any recommendations or findings of the commission during their probe," Prabowo remarked.
Related news: Police HQ dispatches team to help investigate Parigi Moutong incident
Translator: Ayu Khania P, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
