Tapin Police Investigate 34 Karhutla Cases

Members of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan extinguished the hotspots in Tapin, South Kalimantan, Saturday (23/9/2023). BETWEEN/Muhammad Fauzi Fadilah.

Tapin Police, South Kalimantan is investigating 34 cases of forest and land fires (karhutla) that occurred in this area.

Head of the Criminal and Investigation Unit (Kasat Reskrim) of the Tapin Police, AKP Haris Wicaksono, said officers had installed police lines on every land that entered the investigation stage.

"We are investigating 34 cases of forest and land fires," said Haris in Rantau, Tapin Regency, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, September 29.

Haris revealed that police investigators encountered obstacles in uncovering forest and land fires cases, including minimal information, witnesses, and evidence.

"Regarding the cause of forest and land fires due to human error or nature, that is the domain of the Environmental Service," he said.

The Tapin Police have uncovered two cases of forest and land fires, namely suspect S (43) for burning land to plant cassava on the side of Jalan Lintang, North Tapin District on Wednesday, (30/8).

As well as suspect I (41) for burning his own land to plant chilies in Bitahhan Village, Lokpaikat District, Tapin Regency on Friday (22/9).

The two suspects, said Haris, were charged with Article 187 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code with the threat of a maximum prison sentence of 12 years in prison.

Based on data from the Tapin Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) from June 1 to September 28, 2023, the land affected by forest and land fires reached 273.13 hectares and 99 hotspots.