Hindu and Christian leaders solve Katung case peacefully<\/p>\n
Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar<\/p>\n
Representatives of both Christian and
\nHindu communities in Katung, Kintamani, some 45 kilometers
\nnorthwest of here, held a reconciliation meeting here on Monday
\naimed to reaching a settlement after the recent torching of
\nhouses belonging to Christian residents in the village.<\/p>\n
The meeting, which was organized by Bangli Police precinct
\nchief Adj. Sr. Comr. Heru Teguh Prayitno, ended with both sides
\nagreeing to resolve any differences they might have through
\npeaceful methods, instead of resorting to violence.<\/p>\n
\"The meeting took place at the Bangli police post. I must say,
\nwe are very happy with the results of the meeting,\" Adj. Sr.
\nComr. Yatim Suyatmo, spokesman for the Bali Provincial Police,
\nsaid here on Monday.<\/p>\n
Yatim said both parties had also agreed to try to find out the
\nroot of the problem, which has strained the normally good ties
\nbetween the Christian and Hindu communities in the village.<\/p>\n
Both sides also promised that should another problem arise in
\nthe future, they would try their best to address it in accordance
\nwith the law.<\/p>\n
\"They also agreed to rebuild the damaged houses together,\"
\nSuyatmo said.<\/p>\n
He emphasized, however, that the successful outcome would not
\nin any way affect the police's commitment to investigating the
\nincident thoroughly.<\/p>\n
\"We will continue our investigation to find out who was
\nresponsible for the attack. The local police have already
\nquestioned six people who, we assume, probably had some role in
\nor were connected with the attack,\" Suyatmo added.<\/p>\n
The attack, which took place an hour before midnight last
\nWednesday, forced 21 Balinese Christians to flee their village
\nafter a mob stormed into their homes. Some ten buildings, two
\ncars and a motorbike were torched and two other buildings were
\nbadly damaged in the attack. No fatalities were
\nreported, although one Balinese Christian, I Ketut Kirim, was
\nseverely injured in the incident.<\/p>\n
One of the Christian representatives who attended the meeting,
\nI Nyoman Parwita, described the atmosphere as both open and
\nfriendly.<\/p>\n
\"Since the Bangli Police chief has already given us his
\nguarantee over the security situation in Katung, and the leaders
\nof the village's customary council have also expressed their
\ncommitment to protecting the Balinese Christians, then, as of
\ntomorrow, we will begin the process of returning to the village,\"
\nParwita said.<\/p>\n
The Christians were currently being sheltered in a church in
\nBangli.<\/p>\n
Separately, the local chapter of The Indonesian Christian
\nStudent Movement (GMKI) in a statement issued last Saturday,
\nexpressed its regret over the incident and lambasted the
\ngovernment for its belated response. It also demanded that the
\nstate's security apparatus provide protection to all the people
\nof Katung, regardless of their beliefs.<\/p>",
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