SHOOT AT SIGHT ORDERS ISSUED TO DEAL WITH MUGGING

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Feb 28 (Antara) - Police officers have been ordered to shoot at sight muggers and extend strong assistance to victims of mugging, following the growing incidence of robberies targeting motorcycle riders in Jakarta's suburbs and satellite towns.         The Jakarta Metropolitan Police recently shot dead seven robbers, who had reportedly hijacked 93 motorists, and taken into custody 244 suspects.         "Mugging victims badly need police assistance because they are facing a difficult situation due to these incidents. The victims, among other things, also need letters from the police that are used for claiming insurance," Abdul Haris Semendawai, the chairman of the Victims and Witness Protection Institute (LPSK) said on Friday.         Robberies targeting motorcyclists have been on the rise and the muggers are now focusing their area of operations in the Jakarta suburbs or buffer towns, such as Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi. However, this crime is also taking place in other provinces in the country.           According to Jakarta Police Spokesman Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul, the criminals have shifted their operations to the suburbs as a result of large scale patrols carried out by security personnel in large cities.    "They usually operated in the cities, but have now shifted to the outskirts," Senior Com. Martinus Sitompul pointed out on Wednesday.         Jakarta Metropolitan Police Chief Insp. Gen. Unggung Cahyono has therefore instructed the entire police cadre to shoot on sight muggers, who resist arrest and pose a threat.         "Up till now, seven hijackers targeting motorists have been shot dead in the Jakarta Metropolitan's jurisdiction," Unggung Cahyono said at the Bekasi police headquarters on Thursday.          He said the muggers often commit crimes or robberies in the Jakarta Metropolitan Police's jurisdiction, such as Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi. They act sadistically and possess sharp weapons or fire arms.          "They do not hesitate to injure the victims, who resist them. Even our own police personnel were shot at when they tried to chase the criminals," Cahyono noted.          He said the police have arrested 29 muggers operating in Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi. "We shot dead seven of them because they resisted arrest and posed a danger to the officers," he remarked.          According to Jakarta Metropolitan Police Spokesman Martinus Sitompul, before conducting their operations, the muggers select their targeted area to begin with and only enter the areas, which they consider safe.          "Once they think the operational areas are no longer safe, they will move to other locations," said Martinus.          The issue of mugging crimes that target people riding motorcycles has been spotlighted in the security sector in Jakarta and its surrounding areas this week following an incident in Pondok Aren, South Tangerang, where the mugger was arrested by the crowd and immolated.          The alleged mugger was set alight by an angry mob February 24, said Martinus Sitompul. "There were four robbers, but only one was caught by the mob that took the law into their own hands and killed the thief," Martinus said.          He added that the incident occurred at 1 a.m. when four individuals were allegedly on the prowl to rob motorists. The gang attacked Wahyu Hidayat, 21, and his friend, Sri Astriani, 19, while they were traveling on their motorcycle.          One of the robbers brandished a sword, but Sri managed to snatch the weapon while Wahyu screamed for help, attracting passer byes. The four robbers then tried to flee the scene but were chased. One of them was caught and set on fire in the street.          Martinus appreciated the "heroic" resistance of Astriani and Hidayat who were able to foil the muggers' actions.          Based on the Jakarta Metropolitan Police analysis, there are currently six groups of muggers operating in Depok, Bekasi and Tangerang.         Martinus said the muggers come from Lampung in Sumatra, Pandeglang, Bogor and Depok in West Java. These gangs are notorious for their crimes as they do not hesitate to wound their victims.         Therefore, the LPSK Chief, Abdul Haris Semendawai, has asked the police to provide better protection for people from robbers and provide necessary services for the victims.         He also drew attention to the failure of the security apparatus in failing to stem the muggings. Semendawai hoped that the police will take firm action and consistently step up patrols to anticipate road crimes, which are threatening motorcycle drivers.         "(The security apparatus') failure to protect the people should be compensated for by extending assistance and good services to the victims," Semendawai demanded.         He also asked police to anticipate such actions in the Pondok Aren, where the crowd took the law into their hands, thus killing the criminal. Criminals should not be killed because they have to be interrogated so that they can reveal the rest of the crime ring.         In the meantime, the LPSK itself, he said, is ready to provide protection to victims, who will give testimony with regards to the mugging crime against motorists.         "The participation of victims and the people is badly needed to resolve this crime. But they could be threatened if they give testimonies. In that case, the LPSK is ready to provide them with protection," said Semendawai. ***2*** (T.A014/INE/o001) EDITED BY INE (T.A014/A/BESSR/O. Tamindael) 28-02-2015 14: