More arrests made after new attacks in Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta Police arrested more people on Saturday following
\nrenewed attacks by unidentified groups of people linked to the
\nrivalry between the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan) and the United Development Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
The sporadic attacks took place in several places across the
\ncity on Friday, killing at least one person and wounding eight
\nothers.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Thursday, the police arrested three other suspects
\nblamed for similar attacks on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19, which left two
\npeople killed and several houses, kiosks damaged or burnt.<\/p>\n
The police declined to give explanations on the latest
\nincidents and Saturday's arrest of the two identified as Koko and
\nAnto, both residents of the village of Purwokinanti.<\/p>\n
\"We are conducting a clandestine operation now, I hope you
\nunderstand our position not to disclose details of what we are
\ndoing at this time,\" Yogyakarta Police chief Brig. Gen. Y. Wahyu
\nSaronto told reporters on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Sofyan Handono, a 20 year old from Kasihan subdistrict, Bantul
\nregency, was found dead with stab wounds to his stomach on Friday
\nnight.<\/p>\n
He was among the victims of attacks launched by rivals armed
\nwith a variety of sharp weapons earlier on Friday, a day after
\nlocal leaders of PDI Perjuangan and PPP met at the province's
\npolice office to seek efforts to end the violence.<\/p>\n
It was not clear which party Sofyan belonged to.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said at least six people riding three motorcycles
\nwith spears and machetes in their hands launched hit-and-run
\nattacks in the Mlati area, Sleman regency, and the Terban and
\nBeringharjo markets.<\/p>\n
Separate attacks also took place along Jl. Beskalan and Jl.
\nSriwedari in Yogyakarta the same day.<\/p>\n
The eight people, mostly supporters of PPP, were wounded in
\nthe separate attacks and are now undergoing medical treatment in
\nhospital.<\/p>\n
The two people killed during previous attacks on Feb. 18 and
\n19 were members of PDI Perjuangan. The attackers were clad in
\nblack and suspected of having links with PPP, PDI Perjuangan.<\/p>\n
Leaders from both parties denied the involvement of their
\norganizations in the attacks but instead blamed them on
\nprovocateurs.<\/p>\n
\"The violence has been triggered by people who probably happen
\nto be supporters of PPP and PDI Perjuangan. On an official level
\nthere is, of course, no enmity between us,\" Syukri Fadloli, a PPP
\ndeputy chairman of the Yogyakarta branch, said after attending
\nThursday's meeting.<\/p>\n
The two parties agreed in the meeting to temporarily refrain
\nfrom conducting mass rallies or gatherings until the situation
\ncalms down.<\/p>\n
They had signed similar pacts in the past, but this failed to
\nhalt attacks on rival supporters.<\/p>\n
Also on Thursday, the two parties pledged to fully back police
\nefforts to enforce the law against attackers over the latest
\nspate of violence.<\/p>\n
Local police have been accused of being reluctant to take
\nstern measures against those involved in past cases of violence,
\nas the attackers were often protected by their respective
\nparties.<\/p>\n
Wahyu demanded that leaders of the two political parties stay
\naway from intervening in the police investigation into the
\nsuspects charged with the recent attacks.<\/p>\n
\"I hope they are consistent with their pledge and will support
\nour investigation into this case in accordance with criminal
\ncodes.\"<\/p>\n
Separately on Saturday, deputy chairman of the local PDI
\nPerjuangan branch Tatang Setiawan said that PDI Perjuangan would
\nset up an investigation team in cooperation with other political
\nparties, in particular PPP.<\/p>\n
Wahyu added that both PPP and PDI Perjuangan should be more
\nselective in recruiting members of their security task forces
\n(Satgas) to avoid the two political parties from being used by
\npeople for their own interests.<\/p>",
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