Two TNI Soldiers Probed over Alleged Assault in Rangko Land Dispute

Labuan Bajo — Two Indonesian Army soldiers are under internal investigation after a widely shared video showed a civilian from Kampung Rangko being beaten in a land dispute in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

The victim has been identified as Syarif, a resident of Kampung Rangko, Tanjung Boleng village, Boleng district, West Manggarai, according to local and national media reports.

Coverage by several outlets states that the incident took place in or near agricultural land that has been disputed between the families of the two soldiers and Syarif’s family since around 2014.

According to statements attributed to Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Budiman Manurung, commander of Kodim 1630/Manggarai Barat, the two alleged assailants are brothers and serve in different units.

One is reported to be a village supervisory non‑commissioned officer (Babinsa) in the Kodim 1630/Manggarai Barat area, while his sibling is assigned to an Army battalion in Kupang and was visiting the regency while on annual leave.

Incident and video evidence

Media accounts describe video footage circulating on social media that appears to show two men in camouflage Army uniforms striking and pushing a man later identified as Syarif.

Reports say the alleged assault occurred in front of the victim’s wife and child, and was witnessed by several locals who were present at the site.

Outlets citing the district military commander state that the confrontation escalated after Syarif recorded the soldiers on his phone near the contested plot, and that the soldiers claimed they acted when they saw the victim reach toward a machete that was still sheathed.

According to these accounts, the victim was knocked to the ground after being struck multiple times.

Medical treatment and commander’s visit

Following the incident, Syarif was taken to Siloam Hospital in Labuan Bajo for treatment.

Several reports say he sustained bruises and other injuries, and initially required inpatient care before being discharged the following day.

On Wednesday, 9 September 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Budiman visited the victim at Siloom Hospital in Labuan Bajo to check his condition and offer assurances that the case would be processed under military and applicable law, according to statements carried by regional and national media.

In his public comments, the commander emphasized that the case is being treated seriously and that there was no order from any superior officer to carry out the beating, stressing that the soldiers were present in their home area on personal leave.

Internal examination and possible legal process

Media reports quoting the commander say the two soldiers have been summoned for questioning at Kodim 1630/Manggarai Barat.

Witnesses, including people from the victim’s side, are also reported to have given statements as part of the internal fact‑finding process.

According to these accounts, the local command is compiling its findings for higher Army authorities to determine whether the case should be pursued by the Military Police and proceed to formal legal action.

Several outlets report that the commander has publicly stated the soldiers will face legal proceedings over the incident, and that the handling of the case is being coordinated with their respective parent units.

Dispute background and differing narratives

Regional coverage indicates that the alleged assault is linked to a long‑running land dispute between members of the soldiers’ family and the victim’s family.

Reports citing an internal chronology from Kodim 1630/Manggarai Barat state that the land conflict has been ongoing for more than a decade.

Some local media also note differences between the narrative presented by Army officers, who frame the beating as a reaction to a perceived threat, and the victim’s family and rights advocates, who characterize the episode as an excessive use of force by uniformed personnel.

The allegations remain under investigation, and no court verdict or criminal conviction has been reported as of mid‑September 2026.

Sources

• Detik Bali – "Viral 2 Prajurit TNI Aniaya Warga hingga Babak Belur-Dilarikan ke RS"
• Pos-Kupang – "Dua Anggota Kodim 1630 Manggarai Barat Diduga Aniaya Warga Tanjung Boleng"
• Radarnesia – "Klarifikasi Kodim 1630/Manggarai Barat: Insiden Dua Oknum TNI AD Disebut Berlatar Sengketa Keluarga, Bukan Urusan Dinas"
• Ketikberita – "Dandim 1630/Mabar Jenguk Korban Dugaan Pemukulan Oleh Anggota TNI di RS Siloam Labuan Bajo"
• Floresa – "Beda Klaim TNI vs Keluarga Korban Penganiayaan di Labuan Bajo"