Police Arrest Land Burn Farmers In Tapin South Kalimantan

Tapin - A member of the Tapin Police, South Kalimantan, arrested a farmer with the initials Su (43) for allegedly burning his own land for gardening on Jalan Lintang, North Tapin District.

Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Tapin Police, AKP Haris Wicaksono, said that Su's motive was to open up a cassava plantation.

"His work (Su) was odd in South Banjarmasin, invited by his colleague to plant cassava on local land," said Haris in Rantau, Tapin Regency, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, September 4.

The results of the investigation, said Haris, the burned land covering an area of 2,227 square meters covering Su's personal land and its surroundings.

"So there is also neighboring land that is also affected. So, the fire spread to the side, causing material losses," said Haris.

As a result of this action, Su is now charged with Article 187 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code with a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison.

In addition to the case of Su, there are 31 hotspots caused by forest and land fires (karhutla) in Tapin Regency which are currently under investigation by the Tapin Police.

Tapin Police Chief AKBP Sugeng Priyono said the land was located in a swampy area in four sub-districts, namely Bakarangan, North Laras Temple, South Laras Temple and Central Tapin.

"God willing, we will inform you again," he said.

Sugeng appealed to the entire community not to burn the land because it was categorized as a criminal act.