Dozens injured in clashes after PPP gatherings in Central Java<\/p>\n
PEKALONGAN, Central Java (JP): Dozens of people were injured
\nin two clashes between supporters of the United Development Party
\n(PPP) and hundreds of unidentified people.<\/p>\n
There are several versions of the brawls, which police say did
\nnot happen.<\/p>\n
The first fight happened in Kajen regency, about 25 kilometers
\nsouth of here. A motorcade of about 100 PPP supporters traveling
\nhome from a rally in nearby Asinan village was reportedly
\nattacked by a mob in front of a Golkar office.<\/p>\n
Ali Imron of the PPP Pekalongan branch said 20 supporters were
\nbeaten with iron sticks and wooden clubs. Some had their bones
\nbroken.<\/p>\n
\"We deplore the security personnel who only stood by watching
\nthe incident,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
An officer on duty at the Pekalongan police precinct denied
\nthe incident.<\/p>\n
Imron said the fight began after local police and soldiers
\ntold the people of Asinan, Kandang Serang district, not to attend
\nthe PPP rally.<\/p>\n
He said that, because the villagers were too afraid to attend
\nthe rally, the local PPP campaign committee decided to summon
\nsupporters from the nearby villages of Buaran, Kedung Wuni and
\nWonopringgo.<\/p>\n
He said that, after the supporters returned from the rally, a
\nmob waiting in front of the Golkar office attacked. \"It's very
\nlikely that the mob were Golkar supporters,\" Ali said, adding
\nthat the supporters had no choice but to defend themselves.<\/p>\n
The other incident in Pekalongan involved a convoy of PPP
\nsupporters who were pelted with stones by dozens of unidentified
\nmen on Jl. Bina Griya.<\/p>\n
Zurkoni of the local PPP branch said that \"dozens of residents
\narmed with sickles and swords\" were waiting for the PPP convoy.<\/p>\n
\"We chose to flee,\" Zurkoni said, adding that two PPP
\nsupporters were injured when they fell off their motorcycle.<\/p>\n
The police officer contacted by the Post said that PPP
\nsupporters had begun the incident by throwing stones at homes in
\nthe Bina Griya housing complex. Most of the complex's residents
\nare Golkar members.<\/p>\n
The officer said no one was injured and that the PPP
\nsupporters had been briefly detained for questioning.<\/p>\n
Thousands of supporters attended the PPP rally in the town, a
\nPPP stronghold where several political riots have occurred in
\nrecent few months. Last Wednesday, there was a fight between
\nGolkar and PPP supporters which left eight injured.<\/p>\n
The regional military spokesman, Lt. Col. Sugeng Suryanto,
\nsaid five people had been arrested over the fight. (har\/aan)<\/p>",
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