East Java Police Investigate Police Participating In Ritual That Leads To Death In Payangan Jember

Head of Public Relations of the Java Police, Kombes Gatot Repli Handoko (left)/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

SURABAYA - The East Java Regional Police (Polda) investigated the involvement of police in a deadly ritual carried out by Padepokan Tunggal Jati Nusantara, at Payangan Beach, Jember Regency, East Java.

The Head of Public Relations of the Java Police, Kombes Gatot Repli Handoko, confirmed that one of the victims with the initials FB (28) was a police officer serving at the Bondowoso Police.

"That's right, members of the Bondowoso Police," he said, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, February 15.

Regarding the investigation, the police began to examine a number of witnesses, including the leader of the Padepokan Tunggal Jati Nusantara. However, the examination was hampered because it was still being treated at a hospital in Jember. "The leader is still in the hospital, so he can't be questioned yet," he continued.

It is known that the Padepokan Tunggal Jati Nusantara group, led by a person named Hasan, departed from Dukuhmencek Village, Sukorambi District, to Payangan Beach, Saturday, February 12 evening. The group at that time used a mini bus.

At around 23.00 WIB, this group arrived at Payangan Beach, which an hour later performed the ritual on the beach.

Previously, they had been warned by the Bukit Seroja Management not to go to the sea because of the big waves. However, the group did not heed the prohibition and remained to the beach to carry out the ritual.

Half an hour later, 23 people were swept away by the sudden current of Payangan beach sea water. At 01.00 WIB, Ambulu Polsek personnel, Babinsa Sumberejo, village officials, and the SAR team evacuated the survivors to the Ambulu Health Center.

A total of 12 victims who were swept away by the waves survived, while 11 victims in this tragedy died. The victims who died ranged in age from 13-40 years. Meanwhile, investigators from the Jember Resort Police have examined 13 witnesses who have been questioned, but it is likely that the number of witnesses being questioned will continue to grow.

Meanwhile, Jember Police Chief AKBP Hery Purnomo, said the dozens of witnesses who were questioned were survivors, witnesses who knew about the incident during ritual activities, rescue workers for victims, and members in the field.

"Regarding whether there is a criminal element in Article 359 of the Criminal Code regarding negligence that caused the loss of people's lives, we are still clarifying the witnesses, we will determine later in the case process," he said.