Small Farmers and Small-Minded Officials

The death of Salim Kancil is proof that the police slogan, 'to protect and to nurture', seems to be nothing more than grand words. The police at Lumajang, East Java, ignored previous threats on Salim and other citizens of Selok Awar-Awar village, two weeks before he died.

Salim was attacked by 22 people last September 26. He was abducted and dragged to the town hall, where he was tied up, tortured with electrodes, kicked and beaten until he could run no more. Tosan, a colleague of Salim was also abducted on that same day. He was tied up and laid on the floor so a motorcycle could be driven over his body, again and again. Tosan did not die, but he now needs intensive care because of a broken spleen.

October 6, 2015