Conflict reignites in Mamasa<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
After a year of relative peace, a violent communal conflict
\nerupted again on Saturday in Aralle district, Mamasa regency,
\nWest Sulawesi province, leaving scores of homes and a church
\nburned.<\/p>\n
No fatalities were reported, Antara news agency reported.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said that the renewed conflict began to flare up on
\nThursday, when minor clashes occurred between those who supported
\nand opposed a split of Polewali Mamasa regency into two
\nregencies: Polewali Mamasa and Mamasa.<\/p>\n
The conflict dragged on until dawn Saturday when at least 18
\nhouses and a church we set on fire and razed. It was not clear,
\nwhich group was responsible in the arson attack.<\/p>\n
The residents of Aralle, Tabulahan and Mambi districts come
\nfrom two distinct groups. The first is the Muslim transmigrants
\nfrom western Indonesian islands, who oppose the split of Polewali
\nMamasa into two regencies. They are, however, a minority in the
\nregency, which is dominated by the native residents, most of whom
\nare Christians.<\/p>\n
A local police officer said that some 200 policemen had been
\ndeployed to restore order in the area, especially Aralle.<\/p>\n
The prolonged conflict in Mamasa regency dates back to the end
\nof 2002, when the central government gave the green light for a
\nsplit of Polewali Mamasa.<\/p>\n
The decision sparked an uproar among residents of three
\ndistricts in Mamasa regency, namely Aralle, Tabulahan and Mambi
\ndistricts, which have a population of around 20,000.<\/p>\n
The conflict heightened in September 2003, when a major clash
\noccurred in the three districts, leaving three dead and forcing
\nthousands of residents to flee their homes.<\/p>\n
Ethnicity, religion and economic factors have fueled the
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
The deep socio-religious differences often exacerbate problems
\nand lead to fatal conflicts.<\/p>\n
Mamasa regency is now part of the newly established West
\nSulawesi province, which recently split off from South Sulawesi
\nprovince. West Sulawesi province has five regencies; Polewali
\nMandar, Mamasa, Majene, Mamuju and North Mamuju.<\/p>\n
Separately on Saturday, Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno,
\nwho was in Mamuju, the capital of West Sulawesi province, was
\napparently already informed about the renewed clashes. Hari was
\nin Mamuju, some 540 kilometers north of Makassar, the capital of
\nSouth Sulawesi province, to inaugurate West Sulawesi province as
\nthe nation's 33rd province, following a recent endorsement by the
\nHouse of Representatives.<\/p>\n
In his speech in the inauguration ceremony, Hari urged the
\nacting governor of West Sulawesi province, Oentarto Sindung
\nMoewardi, to resolve the prolonged conflict in the three
\ndistricts.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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