East Java Police Send Brimob To Kangean Island Redam Chaos

Documents for the departure of the East Java Police Mobile Brigade Brimob troops to Kangean Island, Sumenep to reduce the conflicts of fishermen in the area. (ANTARA/HO-Polres Sumenep)

The East Java Regional Police sent assistance from Brimob troops to Kangean Island to assist security carried out by the Sumenep Police in reducing the conflict between local fishermen and PT KEI (Kangean Energi Indonesia).

"There are as many as 67 troop personnel that we sent to Kangen Island from Battalion D Pioneer of the Satbrimob Polda East Java," said Sumenep Police Chief AKBP Rivanda as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, November 6.

The personnel arrived at Kangean Island, Wednesday (5/11) night and since Thursday (6/11) morning they have started to carry out security.

The police chief explained that his party had instructed the personnel in charge of carrying out security, to act professionally and humanely, carry out their duties with full responsibility, avoid arrogant actions, and maintain good communication with the community.

"According to a report by personnel from the Kangean Police, the situation is actually starting to calm down, but the disappointment of the residents has not completely subsided. Many fishermen think that seismic activity threatens the preservation of the sea and their catch," he said.

The conflict between Kangean fishermen and PT Kangean Energi Indonesia occurred when the company conducted a survey in the waters of the shallow sea area where fishermen caught fish.

A total of six fishermen who tried to block the activity were arrested by the Kangean Police.

The fishermen moved without a command to the Kangean Police Headquarters office, demanding the release of the six Kangean fishermen.

However, maybe because the police were not at the Mapolsek, residents moved to where the police usually were and secured the people of the PT KEI company who lived, namely in the waterpark owned by one of the members of the Sumenep Regency DPRD.

At that location, a riot incident occurred. The mob threw and burned the waterpark facility.

"We hope that through the security assistance force from the East Java Police Mobile Brigade, the situation will improve, and therefore, the instructions for their approach are humane and good communication with all people, not with anarchy," said the Police Chief.