3 Hectares Of Forest In East Barito Burned, Police Investigate Criminal Acts

Illustration of forest fires (ANTARA)

PALANGKA RAYA - East Barito Police, Central Kalimantan investigated the three-hectare forest and land fires (karhutla) incident that occurred in Sarapat Village, East Hamlet District.

"The fire case in Sarapat Village, East Hamlet District is in the investigation stage," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the East Barito Police, AKP Agung, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 23.

The fire caused three hectares of land to be burned. The investigation was carried out to find out if there was an element of a criminal act in the incident.

According to him, in the investigation process, the crime scene has been processed. Investigators have also identified and asked for initial information from a number of witnesses at the location of the fire in Sarapat Village.

In the investigation process, he added, the Bartim Police Satreskrim will summon a number of witnesses for clarification or information. The testimony of the witnesses is expected to provide clues in the disclosure of the incident.

A fire broke out in a land in Sarapat Village, East Hamlet District on Monday (21/8). The fire was considered dangerous because the fire approached residential areas and was reported by residents at around 13.00 WIB.

Volunteers for Matabu Jaya, Sulung Rescue, Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and East Barito Fire Department as well as dozens of personnel from the East Barito Police along with the East Hamlet Police also struggled to extinguish the fire. The fire was successfully controlled three hours later.

The people of East Barito Regency are advised not to burn garbage or others on land during the peak of the dry season as it is today, because the dry soil contours cause the land to burn easily and obtain water sources to extinguish the fire is quite difficult.

"We remind again that perpetrators of forest fires can be subject to criminal penalties in accordance with Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning forestry, with a maximum penalty of 15 years and a fine of IDR 5 billion," said Agung Gunawan Putra.