TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru-Rokan Hilir Police has arrested three suspected peatland arsonists in Segajah River Village, Kubu Subdistrict, Rokan Hilir. Authorities seized one heavy equipment found at a 20 hectares burning land.

“The activity was revealed after officials conducted an active farming on former burned lands,” Rokan Hilir Police Adj. Sr. Comm. Subiantoro said Sunday, February 7, 2016.

The team consisting of officials from the police department and environment ministry of provincial level and Manggala Agni discovered a burning 20 hectare land in an open access at Dam III Street, Segajah River Village, Kubu, Rokan Hilir. "The criteria is a peatland of three meters deep," said Subiantoro.

Authorities found three workers identified as Andi (16) and Nurmansyah (16) who are co-operator of a heavy equipment, and a cook Alex Tampubolon (50). All are residents of Rokan Hilir and are currently questioned as witnesses.

After police combed the area, they discovered a Hitachi-brand heavy equipment about 1 km from the scorched land where it was deliberately concealed in the bushes by the suspects.

Police managed to apprehend three suspects including Sarman (40) and Sardi (35) who both handle heavy machinery, and 54-year-old supervisor Malika Sinaga. After being interrogated, police then set the three as suspects on charges of forest destruction.

“The three suspects are brought into custody for further investigations,” Subiantoro said.

Authorities along with local residents tried to put out the fire that had scorched 20 hectares of peatland.  “The fire was extinguished at 6pm,” he said.

RIYAN NOFITRA