South Kalimantan Tapin Police Investigate 40 Karhutla Cases

Tapin - The Criminal and Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) of the Tapin Police, South Kalimantan (Kalsel) investigated 40 cases of forest and land fires (Karhutla) throughout the dry season in 2023.

"Now there are 40 cases, all of them are still investigating," said Tapin Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head AKP Haris Wicaksonodi Rantau as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, October 21.

Haris revealed that police investigators encountered obstacles in uncovering the Karhutla case, including minimal information, witnesses, and evidence.

"When it comes to the cause of forest and land fires due to human error or nature, that's the domain of the Environmental Service that can be sure," he said.

Throughout June-October 2023, the Tapin Police have uncovered two cases of Karhutla, namely the suspect Sukarno (43) for burning land to plant cassava on the side of Jalan Lintang, North Tapin District on Wednesday (30/8).

As well as the suspect Ilmi (41) for burning his own land to plant chilies in Bitahan Village, Lokpaikat District, Tapin Regency on Friday (22/9).

The two suspects, said Haris, were charged with Article 187 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code with the threat of a maximum prison sentence of 12 years in prison.

Based on data from the Tapin Regional Disaster Agency (BPBD), it shows that land affected by forest and land fires reaches 361 hectares from 127 hotspots from June 1 to October 14, 2023.