Dili, November 20, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Regarding the incident that spread on social media, the Head of Bebonuk Village stated that the action was not a form of hatred towards the youth of Bebonuk. However, this was an action taken by the Village Head to motivate the youth not to discriminate against each other in this Village, but to create peace and a sense of love in Bebonuk.
In an interview with the Head of Bebonuk Village, Alfredo da Costa, who had just received the handover of office as village head on July 9, 2024, meaning he had been carrying out his duties for five months, said in his campaign that he came to gather with the people of Bebonuk Village to advance Bebonuk and came to gather with the community not to destroy the community or discriminate in the community of Bebonuk Village, Dom-Aleixo, Dili.
“Regarding the incident that was circulating on social media yesterday, I as the Head of Bebonuk Village made a decision for 7 youths, they were punished by kneeling under the flag, this action is one way to educate youth, it does not mean that I hate or dislike or discriminate against them but the purpose of this action is how to motivate them to become individuals who will never often cause trouble again, because we are a democratic country and on November 12 many youths sacrificed themselves to death, they did not look at skin color or race and they united to fight for the liberation of this country.” Said the Head of Bebonuk Village
He continued, the youth who caused trouble in the hamlets mentioned earlier, they surrendered themselves to the Bebonuk Village Head, because they considered the Village Head as a father for Bebonuk, so they came to surrender themselves, both the seven suspects and the two victims who were hit by stones, one victim was stitched six times and another was hit on the ear, they did not want to surrender themselves to the Police but to the Village Head and the suspects were ready to be resolved and receive any punishment from the Village Head, as well as the victims were also ready to be resolved with the suspects.
“There were seven suspects who came and admitted to throwing stones at two victims, and I also asked why you didn’t report it to the police, because you know it’s a crime, but they answered, we came here because we consider you as the father of this village and it’s not just them who came here but also their parents to resolve this problem and the action that was decided was to ask them to kneel, not only me, there were also members of the Ministry of Home Affairs who were on duty in this village who came and the victims were also ready to resolve this problem with them,” he said.
The Head of Bebonuk Village added that the act was not of his own will but rather asked for an understanding from the victim to give punishment to the suspect, so the victim said to treat his wounds and kneel under the flag, but the Village Head did not immediately give punishment but first asked the suspect whether he agreed or not with the punishment, then the suspects were ready and knelt under the flag and treated the victim’s wounds, the act was not a form of hatred from the Village Head towards the youth but as a form of love for the youth so that it did not cause problems, thus they could love each other and create peace in Bebonuk.
Reported by : Domingas
Picture by : Nelfiano