Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Two men in Bandar Klippa village, Deli Serdang district, North Sumatra, were allegedly beaten and set on fire after being accused of stealing two sacks of cassava from a local field.
Riki Irawan, the victims’ attorney, said the incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, August 6, on Jalan Waduk in Dusun 1 Senggani, Bandar Klippa. The men allegedly took around 30 kilograms of cassava from disputed farmland controlled by the suspects. Word of the theft spread quickly, and the pair admitted to a local community leader.
“They were advised to return the cassava and apologize to the owner,” Riki told CNN Indonesia on Friday, August 15. “They probably intended to sell them to make ends meet, as they have no steady jobs.”
When the men came to return the stolen goods, Riki said, they were instead assaulted. One suspect, identified as HR, allegedly doused one of the victims with gasoline and set him on fire, despite the victim’s pleas for mercy. A police officer from the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) unit, identified as EH, allegedly punched and beat the other man, leaving him with bruises and a cut lip.
“One victim, whose body was already burning, tried to put out the flames by removing his jacket and running for safety. The other, managed to escape,” Riki said.
Locals later confronted the suspects, who initially signed a statement agreeing to pay for the victims’ medical treatment. The victims were taken home for outpatient care after HR, a civil servant who also serves as an elementary school principal, allegedly pressured the family not to admit them for hospitalization.
The victims now say they fear for their safety after learning that the suspects filed a police report accusing them of theft and vandalism at around 3 a.m. Riki said that the victims live in a remote area close to the suspects’ homes and gathering places, and face a significant economic disadvantage compared to them.
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Riki said they have reported three individuals in connection with the case: a Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer identified as EH, a civil servant from the Deli Serdang Regency government who also serves as an elementary school principal in Percut Seituan identified as HR, and a notary identified as AM.
“The suspects were reported under Police Report Number LP/B/1223/VIII/2025/Medan Tembung Police/Medan City Police/North Sumatra Police, dated August 8, 2025,” said Riki.
Separately, North Sumatra Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Ferry Walintukan said that in the case of the assault on a cassava thief, police have named two suspects HR and AM, while the Brimob officer remains under investigation.
“AM assaulted the victim and pointed a gun at him, while HR set the victim on fire,” he said.
(Raidi/Agung)
