Four Residents, Including the Head of the RT, Become Suspects of Provocation and Violence in South Tangerang

A group of young people were praying together in South Tangerang City when a resident came to disperse them with shouts.

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

The chairman of RW 002, Marat (wearing brown shirt), along with the police, communicated with boarding house residents in RT 007 RW 002, Kampung Poncol, Babakan Village, Setu Subdistrict, South Tangerang City, on Monday afternoon (5/6/2024). Communication went smoothly and the atmosphere was conducive.

TANGERANG SELATAN, KOMPAS — Police arrested and named four men as suspects in a riot between local residents and a group of youths at RT 007 RW 002, Kampung Poncol, Babakan Village, Setu, South Tangerang City . The friction that ended in violence occurred when one of the perpetrators wanted to break up a group prayer activity by a group of youths.

The incident occurred on Sunday (5/5/2024) evening. The victim, A, a 19 year old woman reported this so South Tangerang Resort Police arrested D (53), l (30), S (36), and A (26). D is the head of the local RT.

A and his friends were praying together at 7:30 PM. They were approached by D, who intended to disperse the group by shouting curses.

"D swore and intimidated the victim and his friend with the intention of teaming up with other suspects to attack them, as they were considered to disturb their surroundings," said South Tangerang Police Chief Deputy Commissioner Ibnu Bagus Santoso on Tuesday (May 7, 2024).

The shouting of expletives by D has provoked residents. They are trying to find out what happened, leading to turmoil and misunderstandings that resulted in violence against the victim.

Suspect I also shouted curses and intimidated the victim who refused orders to leave. He twice pushed the victim's body.

Also read: Commotion in South Tangerang and SARA Issues in the Media that Worry Residents

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

Police, residents, and tenants of boarding houses in RT 007 RW 002, Kampung Poncol, Babakan Village, Setu Subdistrict, South Tangerang City, on the afternoon of Monday (5/6/2024) seemed to be mingling.

Forcible dissolution, especially with violence, during religious worship is not justified under any circumstances.

Ibnu said that everything was recorded by one of the renters at the scene. Footage also shows two men carrying knives.

"The suspects S and A brought a knife to threaten and intimidate the victim and their friend to immediately leave and disperse," he said.

Three knives and the suspects' t-shirts were confiscated by the police during the incident, as well as footage of the incident. The suspects violated the article of carrying or possessing sharp weapons without rights and, together, committing violence towards a person in public or committing assault with violence or threats. The punishment for this offense ranges from 1 to 10 years in prison.

"Investigators will investigate further. No intolerance. "Everyone sits together to maintain diversity," he said.

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

Not only did the police and village officials keep watch, they also communicated with the residents of the boarding houses in RT 007 RW 002, Poncol village, Babakan subdistrict, Setu district, South Tangerang City, on Monday (5/6/2024) afternoon. The atmosphere appeared calm and communication flowed smoothly.

Investigate it thoroughly

The Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party Faction in the South Tangerang Regional People's Representative Council, Alexander Prabu, has called on the police to seriously address this issue. The resolution must be done with full fairness and equal treatment, and in the form of a strong warning to prevent it from happening again in the future.

"Forced dissolution, especially with violence, when citizens are performing any religious worship, is not justified for any reason," stated Alexander.

Also read: Friction between residents in South Tangerang is not a racial issue

In addition to the police, South Tangerang Mayor Benyamin Davnie and the South Tangerang Interfaith Harmony Forum ensure the freedom of residents to worship according to their respective religions.

"The practice of intolerance still occurs at the grassroots level. This incident greatly disturbs the harmony and unity in the midst of a smart, modern, and religious South Tangerang city," said Alexander.

He also urged the mayor and the Interfaith Harmony Forum to be more active in providing diversity education to residents, especially at the neighborhood level, community leaders, youth, and not easily provoked.