Police Investigate Land Burning Case Near Mukomuko Hospital

MUKOMUKO - Bengkulu Mukomuko Police are investigating the case of burning peatlands which are suspected to have been carried out by land grabbing belonging to local residents near the hospital.

"We are still investigating, but for the time being we have not found an element of intentional burning of the land," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Mukomuko Police, Iptu Susilo, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, April 12.

A two-hectare peatland located near the Mukomuko Hospital in Air Manjuto District, Mukomuko Regency, was reported to have caught fire, but it is not yet known who was responsible for the burning.

The two hectares of peat land belongs to four local residents with certificates still in the name of one person, namely Endang Supandi, a resident of Pasar Mukomuko Village. However, since the last month, it is suspected that this land has been cut down by a number of people who also claim to be the owners of the land.

Regarding the alleged land fire, Susilo said the police were still collecting data and investigating and confirming whether or not there was an element of intent.

Until now, the police have not found any criminal acts, so they are still taking preventive measures by appealing to the public not to clear land or forests by burning them.

"We are still investigating. For now, we have not found the intentional factor to burn land for planting areas," he said.

The police appealed to residents not to burn land and forests to open up planting areas. If residents want to clear or clear oil palm plantation land, it must be done in a way that does not violate the law, namely not by burning.

There is a criminal sanction against anyone who intentionally conducts land and forest burning activities, namely a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years.