Police And Residents Clash In Wadas, Commission III Of The DPR Asks The Central Java Police Chief To Immediately Go To The Field

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JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the DPR RI Andi Rio Idris Padjalangi regretted the clashes between the police and residents when measuring the dam area that occurred in Wadas village, Bener sub-district, Purworejo, Central Java.

"This clash should have been avoided by taking a persuasive approach, resolving it with a cool heart and head between the two sides," Andi Rio told reporters, Wednesday, February 9.

The Golkar Party legislator asked the Central Java Regional Police Chief (Kapolda) to immediately step down to the field in order to further calm the police personnel. As well as providing an explanation to the community so that there is no ongoing misunderstanding.

"The police must provide clarification, why securing a number of residents and what is the urgency. If indeed the residents are in the wrong and carry sharp weapons, inevitably they must follow the applicable legal process, but if they are not wrong, the police must release a number of these residents," said Andi Rio .

Previously, the Central Java Regional Police confirmed that they had secured a number of Wadas residents while helping BPN carry out land measurements at the Bener Reservoir Project site.

At least 23 residents were detained by the police during the measurement process.

The Head of Public Relations of the Central Java Police, Kombes M. Iqbal Alqudusy, explained that his party was forced to secure 23 people to prevent clashes between residents from occurring. The reason is, Iqbal revealed that there are residents who want the construction of a dam and some who do not.

"At the time of the measurement, near the village mosque a crowd of residents gathered between the pros and cons, a conflict of commotion between the two sides. The joint TNI-Polri and Pol PP team separated the two," said Kombes M Iqbal Alqudusy to reporters, Tuesday, February 8. When they were about to be separated, Iqbal continued, a number of residents fought the security officers and acted anarchically. When they were taken into custody, it was discovered that they were carrying machetes. "23 people were arrested and immediately taken to the Bener Police for interrogation," explained Iqbal.

Regarding the news that there were residents missing, the police denied it. Iqbal revealed, a resident named M Saudi was indeed detained by the police because it was strongly suspected that he took a video of the measurement security activity and then uploaded it on social media with a provocative narrative.

“The Bener Polres Purworejo police officers know the person riding in the car taking the photo shoot. After being stopped by the officers, it was discovered that the person was named M Saudi bin H Matali, a resident of Wadas village," said Iqbal.

When interrogated, continued Iqbal, M Saudi admitted that he posted a video and shared it on Whatsapp with a provocative narration. "He also admits that he owns land in Wadas Village but it is not certified and opposes the construction of the Bener dam," said Iqbal