Calm returns to Surakarta after Wednesday's violence<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Calm returned to the town on
\nThursday evening after being hit by one day of unrest.<\/p>\n
At least one died, scores were injured and dozens of cars,
\noffices and business centers were either vandalized or destroyed
\nby fire in a riot here on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The town suffered at least Rp 10 billion (US$2.5 million) in
\nlosses following the outburst of violence instigated by
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\nsupporters, who were disappointed at party chairwoman Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri's presidential election defeat on Wednesday,
\nSurakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Ramli El Aris said on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
At least 23 inmates reportedly fled Surakarta Penitentiary
\nafter a gang of hoodlums broke into the prison and unlocked the
\ncell doors.<\/p>\n
Police arrested 21 people involved in Wednesday's fray.<\/p>\n
"Most of the alleged rioters are jobless or street people who
\nnormally hang around the city's intersections," Surakarta Police
\ndeputy chief Maj. Erwin Triwanto said.<\/p>\n
The dead man was Sartono, 29, a native of Sidorejo
\nsubdistrict, who was a member of the PDI Perjuangan task force.
\nHe was fatally wounded by a sword while attempting to calm a
\ncrowd.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that Sartono's colleague, Budi, 26, suffered
\nsevere stab wounds and was being treated at Kasih Ibu Hospital.<\/p>\n
Another victim, whose identity has not been released, was
\ninjured by a stray bullet fired by security personnel.<\/p>\n
As of Thursday afternoon, tension was still evident in the
\ncity following calls for war between followers of PDI Perjuangan
\nand supporters of the "axis force" political alliance.<\/p>\n
The axis force, comprising eight Muslim-based parties, was
\nestablished by chairman of National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien
\nRais about three months ago. The force named Abdurrahman Wahid
\nits presidential candidate.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of members of Surakarta's Muslim Youth Forum rallied
\naround the city, shouting "Jihad against the rioters" on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
"We urge the forum not to be too aggressive. Its members
\nshould secure their own domain and avoid conflict," Col. Bambang
\nAris Sampurno, Surakarta Police chief, said.<\/p>\n
The outburst of anger suddenly stopped later in the day and
\nturned into a fiesta when thousands of people poured into Jl.
\nSlamet Riyadi, blowing vehicle horns and praising Megawati's vice
\npresidential election victory.<\/p>\n
Public transportation was scarce on Thursday, leaving hundreds
\nof people stranded.<\/p>\n
One of the 23 inmates who escaped from Surakarta Penitentiary
\nwas captured by the police in the afternoon.<\/p>\n
The prisoner, identified as Loso, was arrested at his house in
\nKaranganyar, about 25 kilometers east of Surakarta.<\/p>\n
During the jailbreak, the inmates ran away with 100 revolver
\nbullets and 64 rifle bullets as well as a television set, a tape
\nrecorder and a telephone.<\/p>\n
Eighty-eight bullets were eventually found in Sukohardjo,
\nabout nine kilometers west of Surakarta. No details of the exact
\nlocation were given. (44\/har\/edt)<\/p>",
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