Palembang, South Sumatra (ANTARA) – The Banyuasin Resort Police in South Sumatra have named a local resident a suspect for allegedly clearing a rice field by burning it in Lubuk Lancang Village, Suak Tapeh Sub-district.
Head of the Banyuasin Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Adjunct Commissioner (AKP) Sandi Karisma, stated in Banyuasin on Monday that the 45-year-old suspect, identified by the initial S, was officially charged following an investigation launched last Thursday (Aug. 27).
He explained that police personnel caught the suspect red-handed burning land to clear it, leading to his immediate apprehension for legal proceedings.
“Based on the investigation conducted by our Special Crimes Unit, the suspect was found to have burned a 20-by-30-meter section of his rice field, which has a total area of 50 by 400 meters,” Karisma remarked.
Authorities seized physical evidence from the scene, including a gas lighter and an unused bottle of fuel.
The suspect has been charged under Article 108 in conjunction with Article 56 Paragraph (1) of Law No. 39 of 2014 on Plantations, and/or Article 308 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code. He is currently being held at the Banyuasin Police headquarters.
Following the arrest, local police issued a strong warning urging residents to refrain from using slash-and-burn methods to clear land, highlighting the severe environmental and public health hazards of forest and land fires.
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Translator: M. Imam Pramana, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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