Couples On Gili Ketapang Island Rumored To Have Witchcraft, Police Intervene Evacuation

The police have evacuated a couple and their child who are accused of possessing witchcraft (ANTARA/HO-Polres Probolinggo Kota)

JAKARTA - Probolinggo Police together with village officials tried to reduce the issue of witchcraft by evacuating a married couple (couple) accused of practicing black magic on Gili Ketapang Island, Probolinggo City, East Java.

"In order not to spread further, the couple was evacuated from Gili Island. After arriving at Tanjung Tembaga Harbor, we picked up the couple to be taken to the Sumberasih Police," said Probolinggo City Police Chief AKBP Wadi Sa'bani, Friday, June 10, quoted from Antara.

Villagers on Gili Ketapang Island were shocked by rumors of witchcraft which led to the expulsion of a couple suspected of having witchcraft from Gili Ketapang Island on Thursday (9/6) night.

The Sumberasih Police along with the three pillars of the Gili Islands have come down to carry out mediation to find the root of the problem with the witchcraft issue, it is hoped that the problem can be resolved.

"Actually, the root of the problem started 3 months ago, when a neighbor of a couple's house died," he said.

Then the couple thought their neighbor was exposed to witchcraft. However, residents actually accused the couple of possessing witchcraft which caused the death of their neighbor, thus expelling him from Gili Ketapang Island.

"After intensive examination, it was proven that the couple did not have the knowledge of witchcraft so they had been sent back to their home in Muneng Kidul for a while," he said.

He explained that his party will maximize the role of the police chief together with Bhabinkamtibmas to provide education to residents so that the problem of witchcraft rumors does not escalate again.

"Bhabinkamtibmas together with the three pillars will routinely carry out mediation on Gili Ketapang Island to find the best solution to the problem," he said.

Previously, the issue of witchcraft also occurred in Alas Tengah Village, Paiton District, Probolinggo Regency, which resulted in a couple being persecuted and their house was damaged by throwing stones at it and setting it on fire by the local villagers.