Mob vandalizes shaman's home<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of villagers in the Srono subdistrict
\nof East Java's Banyuwangi regency vandalized and looted the house
\nof an alleged practitioner of black magic in Kepundungan village,
\npolice said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the alleged magician, a 45-year-old
\nshopkeeper identified as Karno, and his family were unharmed in
\nthe attack on Friday. Banyuwangi Police chief Lt. Col. Iman
\nSoejarwo confirmed the incident.<\/p>\n
The violence was preceded by rumors that Karno's neighbor,
\nMusimah, 40, gave birth to a pile of white cloth containing hair,
\nhay and needles. Villagers alleged Karno was responsible for the
\nrumored birth.<\/p>\n
However, Karno said the villagers envied the success of his
\nstore. He said his properties were looted, including Rp 1.8
\nmillion (US$204) in cash.<\/p>\n
The attack occurred just hours after Regent T. Purnomo Sidik
\ntold 101 local ulema he intended to resign amid public pressure
\nover his alleged involvement in the killings of Muslim clerics in
\nEast Java last year.<\/p>\n
From early last year to November this year, over 200 Muslim
\nclerics were killed by men clad in black ninja-style outfits.<\/p>\n
Killing spree<\/p>\n
Purnomo was linked to the killing spree following reports he
\ncirculated a list of 500 \"black magic practitioners\" who \"needed
\nprotection from lynch mobs\". However many clerics were killed,
\nfollowed by mob killings of suspected 'ninjas.' Investigation
\ninto the murders is yet to progress while activists say police
\nhave not managed to arrest those responsible for the crimes.<\/p>\n
Allegations of a high-level political conspiracy aimed at
\ndestroying the grassroots support of Abdurrahman Wahid's National
\nAwakening Party (PKB) circulated following the still unsolved
\nkillings.<\/p>\n
Banyuwangi, with a population of some 400,000 residents, is a
\nbase of the Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Muslim organization led
\nby Abdurrahman. The regency is situated 289 kilometers east of
\nEast Java's capital of Surabaya. Purnomo announced his
\nresignation at Surabaya Police Headquarters.<\/p>\n
\"I have decided to resign based on security reasons and the
\nsafety of the people of Banyuwangi, especially ahead of the June
\n7 general election,\" he was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
\"I told (the ulema that) I needed until May 10 to complete
\nsome unfinished work,\" he said, adding he still did not know if
\npolitical elites were involved in last year's killing spree.<\/p>\n
Last month Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid said the
\ntenure of all governors, regents and mayors which concluded
\naround the time of elections would be extended to July. (aan)<\/p>",
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