Indonesia orders punishment for 'offenders' football stadium | Football news
By Shubhransh
MALANG: The Indonesian government on Monday called on the country's police to identify and punish those responsible for the stadium stampede that killed 125 people.
Saturday night's tragedy in the city of Malang also left 323 people injured after officers fired tear gas into a packed stadium to quell a field invasion, triggering a stampede.
"We are asking the national police to find the perpetrators who committed crimes in the coming days," Indonesia's Security Minister Mahfud MD said in a broadcast, without specifying who he was referring to.
"We have asked them to reveal who committed the crimes and that action should be taken against them and we also hope that the National Police will evaluate their security procedures," he added, announcing that a task force has been set up for the investigation. had been formed.
The incident unfolded when fans of the home side Arema FC stormed the field at Kanjuruhan stadium after their 3-2 loss to bitter rivals Persebaya Surabaya.
Police responded by firing tear gas canisters into crowded terraces, forcing onlookers to flock to small gates where many were trampled or suffocated, witnesses said.
Police described the incident as a riot in which two officers were killed, but survivors have accused them of overreacting and killing dozens of onlookers, including a five-year-old boy.
"One of our reports is that the authorities are thoroughly investigating this (incident). And we want to be held accountable, who is to blame?" said 25 year old Andikawho refused to give his last name.
"We want justice for our fallen supporters," he said.
Outside Kanjuruhan Stadium, people held a vigil under the roaring lion statue – the club's symbol – on Sunday evening to honor the victims.
But fresh graffiti daubed on the stadium's walls revealed a bubbling anger at authorities.
"My siblings were murdered. Investigate thoroughly," read a message scribbled on the stadium's shutters, accompanied by a black ribbon and the date of the tragedy.
"ACAB", an acronym for "all cops are bastards", was sprayed on another wall.
In Jakarta, hundreds of football fans gathered outside the country's largest stadium on Sunday to shout "killer! killer!" arema FC and placing police tape on the gate of the complex.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced an investigation into the incident, but human rights groups said it must be independent and agents must be held accountable for using tear gas in a confined space.
"We call on the authorities to quickly, thoroughly and independently investigate the use of tear gas at the stadium and ensure that those who commit violations are brought to justice," Amnesty International said in a statement.
"This loss of life cannot go unanswered."
Mahfud said the task force would be elected within the next 24 hours and would consist of government officials, analysts, ministry representatives, football association officials, academics and members of the media.
He said authorities would release the results of the investigation as soon as possible.
"It is estimated that the task could be completed in the next two or three weeks," he said.
Anger against the authorities mounted online, with many critical messages going viral in Indonesia.
"Investigate thoroughly. Firing tear gas in a confined space full of people is a serious offense," read a tweet that has been liked 11,000 times.
An online petition titled "Police must stop using tear gas" gathered nearly 6,000 signatures Monday morning.
The fallout came as more information emerged about the stampede, with Arema FC's Chilean football coach saying "fans died in the arms of players".
'The boys passed by with victims in their arms' Javier Roca told the Spanish broadcaster Cadena Sero.
"I think the police have exceeded their target."
Fan violence is an enduring problem in Indonesia.
Witnesses to Saturday's violence say fans of the home side Arema stormed the field after their loss to Persebaya Surabaya.
Supporters of Persebaya Surabaya were not allowed to buy tickets for the match, for fear of violence.
After the deadly stampede, Arema fans threw rocks at officers and set fire to vehicles, including a police truck, according to police.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the tragedy a "dark day" for football but did not call for action by authorities.
The World Football Association's safety guidelines prohibit carrying gas for crowd control by police or stewards on the pitch.
World football united to mourn the tragedy, with Spanish clubs holding a minute's silence and top teams across Europe sending their condolences online.
Shubhranshhttps://knownews.in
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