54 in Situbondo riot to stand trial soon<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): Police have submitted to the Situbondo district
\nprosecutors office dossiers on 54 people suspected of involvement
\nin the recent riots that claimed five lives and damaged a score
\nof churches, an officer said.<\/p>\n
East Java Police Chief Soemarsono said here yesterday the
\ntrial will be held in Situbondo. He did not say when proceedings
\nwould start.<\/p>\n
Soemarsono said there were 14 people suspected of instigating
\nthe violence, including some aged 16 and 17.<\/p>\n
\"We have postponed arresting those who still go to school. It
\nis at their families' request,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The authorities, in a meeting with the local office of the
\nAgency for the Coordination of Support for National Stability,
\nhave decided to prevent people from gathering during the coming
\ntrial. To prevent the possibility of future riots the authorities
\nhave also decided to limit the number of people allowed to attend
\nthe proceedings.<\/p>\n
Soemarsono said his office had asked ulemas in the
\npredominately Moslem town of Situbondo, some 166 kilometers east
\nof here, to help maintain calm. He also said peace and order had
\nbeen restored.<\/p>\n
K.H. Fawa'id Syamsul Arifin, leader of the As-Syafi'iyah
\nSalafiyah Islamic Boarding School in Asembagus, Situbondo, said
\nthe riots were partially caused by disharmony between ulemas and
\nthe authorities.<\/p>\n
The relationship between the two parties was \"distant\", he
\nsaid, as the authorities had frequently failed to respond to many
\nof the ulemas' concerns.<\/p>\n
One concerns had been the controversial city ruling on
\nalcoholic beverages. Another, the many pornographic billboards
\ndisplayed by the authorities, in spite of complaints.<\/p>\n
\"Since the riots, officials have been calling me every day. It
\nmay be a blessing in disguise,\" he said. (15\/05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/54-in-situbondo-riot-to-stand-trial-soon-1447899208",
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