Assessed As Dangerous, Madiun Police Bans Farmers From Using Electric Rat Traps

Location of farmers found dead due to electrocution in Madiun/Photo: Antara

MADIUN - The Madiun Resort Police (Polres) in East Java has banned the use of electric rat traps to eradicate animal pests in rice fields, following frequent incidents of farmers being electrocuted to death. Madiun Police Chief AKBP Anton Prasetyo in Madiun, Thursday 10 June, said his party has instructed the entire sector police (Polsek) to the Bhayangkara Supervisor of Community Security and Order (Bhabinkamtibmas) in each village to disseminate information about the prohibition of using electric rat traps. The use of electric rat traps in rice fields and plantations is dangerous," said Anton as quoted by Antara. According to him, the socialization step for the ban has been carried out intensively because there have been many cases of farmers being electrocuted from the rat traps and died. There were two cases of farmers in Madiun Regency who died due to electrocution from a mousetrap that they installed themselves. Previously, there were more cases," he said. Apart from being considered dangerous because it threatens life, the use of electric rat traps to kill rats is also against the law. Of course, people must understand that saving their fields does not mean having to sacrifice their lives," said Anton.

He asserted, if after the ban is in effect, his party still finds cases of farmers dying due to being hit by electric rat traps, strict action will be taken according to applicable laws. 359 of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum imprisonment of five years. He added that the most effective way to eradicate rat pests is by "gropyokan" because it can destroy large numbers of rats. electricity, despite knowing it was forbidden.