Demo Of Chaotic Cassava Farmers In Lampung, 10 Police Injured

A total of 10 policemen were injured while securing a demonstration by thousands of cassava farmers who crowded the gates of the Lampung Governor's Office, Bandarlampung, which turned into chaos.

The crowd, who are members of the Indonesian Cassava Farmers' Care Community Alliance, clashed with police officers who secured the action, causing 10 members of the Lampung Regional Police to be injured.

Chaos broke out at around 13.35 WIB after an audience between the mass action and representatives of the Lampung Provincial Government ended without a common ground. The atmosphere, which was initially orderly suddenly heated up.

Stone loops rained on the police barricades on guard. Officers were forced to push back the crowd to prevent the situation from getting out of control.

Clashes are inevitable. Rows of command cars, banners, and flags that were previously used to moderate turned into a provocation tool.

The sound of ambulance sirens and the screams of participants in the action mingled in the chaos in front of the Lampung Governor's office.

The Head of Public Relations of the Lampung Police, Kombes Yuni Iswandari Yuyun, confirmed that there was an incident that injured 10 police officers.

"The situation had heated up because the masses forced their will to continue to urge entry after the audience did not find a solution," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 5.

Kombes Pol. Yuyun said Bripka Yuli Setiawan from the South Betung Bay Police who suffered a laceration to his head and had to be rushed to Bhayangkara Hospital.

Nine other police officers, namely Bripda Rendi Dwi Atmaja, Bripda Daffigo, Bripda Toni Sanzaya, Bripda Raka Alfito, Bripda Baliya, Bripda Aryo Yoga Pratama, Bripda Rangga Herviansyah, Bripka Ali Hanafi, and Briptu Candra suffered injuries from stone throws and immediately received medical treatment at the scene.

"They suffered head injuries, face, shoulders, and hands from blunt objects. However, everything has been handled quickly by the medical team," he said.

Although this action brings important aspirations, according to him, acts of violence committed by a handful of participants cannot be justified.

"We really appreciate the aspirations of the people. However, we will not tolerate anarchic actions that endanger public safety," he said.

He appealed to all elements of society to maintain order and make dialogue the main way of expressing opinions.

"The Lampung Police continue to be committed to guarding the democratic rights of citizens, but remain within the corridors of law and security," he said.

Mass action from various districts and elements of cassava farmers in Lampung.

They demanded justice for the fate of cassava farmers, and urged the Governor of Lampung and the President of the Republic of Indonesia to intervene.