26 farmers arrested for violent protests

Twenty six farmers have been arrested in connection with violent protests in Palembang, South Sumatra, police confirmed on Wednesday. Police arrested the protesters as they demolished the fences of the South Sumatera regional police (Polda) office building.

During the demonstration, the farmers urged South Sumatera police chief Insp. Gen. Iskandar Hasan to suspend Ogan Ilir police chief Comr. Dheni Darmapala from his position.

“We urge Bapak Kapolda to discharge the Ogan Ilir police chief as he committed a violent crime. He demolished a ‘mushola’ [prayer hall] belonging to people in the area,” said director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) South Sumatera, Anwar Sadat, who helped the farmers stage the demonstration. He was also arrested by the police.