Police Arrest 2 Residents' Persecutors In Tulungagung

TULUNGAGUNG - Polres Tulungagung, East Java, arrested two fighters who persecuted other fighters for different martial arts organizations.

"We have arrested these two perpetrators and made them suspects," said Head of Public Relations of the Tulungagung Police, Iptu Moh Anshori, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 10.

Two fighters were arrested with the initials FF (20) and DS (19). They were previously reported by RN (17) while playing at Sine Beach, Kalidawir District, Friday (28/4).

After being arrested and examined, FF and DS admitted to molesting RN under the influence of alcohol.

The motive, said Anshori, was because the victim wore another silat college T-shirt which was considered to be the "fit enemy" of their silat college.

FF and DS at the time of the incident also wore a silat college T-shirt.

"So, the motive for the persecution was because the victim wore a different silat college T-shirt so that it was considered the enemy too," he said.

In addition to hitting with his bare hands, persecution was also carried out using wooden blocks.

After the abuse, which was motivated by the martial arts college, the victim felt disapproved and reported the incident to the Tulungagung Police.

From the information obtained, the police found the two perpetrators of the abuse at their respective residences.

When secured at his residence, the police also secured several pieces of evidence in the form of t-shirts and visum et repertum results. The police also secured other items in the form of 1 wooden block used by the perpetrator to abuse the victim.

For their actions, the two young men are now detained at the Tulungagung Police Headquarters. They were charged with Article 170 of the Criminal Code.

"Both of them are threatened with a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison," he said.

The incident sparked tension between groups of silat colleges. However, the police's decisive steps were considered effective in preventing clashes from occurring.