Eight die in latest clashes in Sampit<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A new bout of ethnic violence erupted on
\nWednesday in East Kotawaringin regency, Central Kalimantan, with
\nreports that another eight people have been killed.<\/p>\n
Latest reports coming out of the small town of Sampit, about
\n214 kilometers west of the provincial capital Palangka Raya, bely
\npolice reports that the situation had calmed and was under
\ncontrol since the violence initially exploded on Sunday between
\nmigrant Madurese settlers and the local Dayak tribe.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that following bloody clashes bodies were seen
\nlying on the streets of the town.<\/p>\n
The exact number of dead remains unclear, with the latest
\ncount being at least eight. Their identities remain unknown.<\/p>\n
At least 25 are believed to have been killed since Sunday.<\/p>\n
The resumption of violence seems to have been sparked by a
\nclash in Kuala Kuayam, some 170 kilometers from Sampit, late on
\nTuesday night.<\/p>\n
About 30 houses were burned down during the night raid in
\nKuala Kuayam, however there were no reports of casualties as most
\nof the residents in the area had already fled.<\/p>\n
The town of Kuala Pembuang in Seruyan Hilir district, some 200
\nkilometers south of Sampit, also nearly fell prey to mob violence
\nas residents became agitated by the sudden influx of refugees
\nfrom Sampit.<\/p>\n
However community and religious leaders quickly stepped in to
\ncalm the situation before an outbreak could erupt.<\/p>\n
Kalimantan has seen several recurrences of ethnic violence in
\nthe past few years.<\/p>\n
The most destructive was in 1997 when widespread riots hit
\nSambas regency in West Kalimantan leaving hundreds dead.<\/p>\n
In December an intercommunal clash erupted in Kereng Pangi,
\nsome 116 kilometers from Sampit, leaving one dead.<\/p>\n
Police in Jakarta on Tuesday claimed that they had captured
\none of the two "masterminds" of Sunday's Sampit riot whom they
\nidentified as local officials. Police said their motive was to
\nregain their former jobs by inciting an ethnic riot.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday additional police reinforcements arrived.<\/p>\n
Two companies of the Police Mobile Brigade arrived from
\nJakarta. One was immediately deployed to Sampit while the other
\nwas stationed in Palangka Raya.<\/p>\n
Earlier another company from South Kalimantan had already been
\ndeployed to Sampit.<\/p>\n
Threat<\/p>\n
In Palangka Raya the situation was also tense as thousands of
\nDayaks surrounded the police station to demand the release of 39
\npeople who had been under police custody since Sunday's riot.<\/p>\n
Police eventually yielded to their demands and released the 39
\nafter reaching an "agreement" with local leaders who called
\nthemselves the Central Kalimantan Region and Dayak Community
\nConsultation League.<\/p>\n
Many of those who marched from the local council building to
\nthe police station in Palangka Raya were believed to be Dayaks
\nwho had left Sampit.<\/p>\n
Central Kalimantan deputy chief Snr. Comms. M. Djatmiko
\nmaintained however that the 39 were actually not detained or even
\narrested but were being kept by police for their own safety.<\/p>\n
"You should know that we struggled hard to free these 39
\npeople who at the time were helpless and surrounded by an
\nopposing ethnic group," Djatmiko claimed.<\/p>\n
"So we didn't detain them, we secured (their safety)."<\/p>\n
The head of the league's presidium, M. Usop, urged police to
\n"wisely" resolve the conflict by approaching both ethnic groups.<\/p>\n
However in a rather veiled threat he suggested that other
\nethnic migrant groups in Central Kalimantan should heed local
\ntraditions or leave.<\/p>\n
"Generally speaking the Dayak community in Central Kalimantan
\nare open to anyone from whichever ethnic group. However if the
\nmigrants cannot adjust to local values...then it is better that
\nthey voluntarily leave," Usop said as quoted by Antara. (jun\/hdn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/eight-die-in-latest-clashes-in-sampit-1447893297",
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