One killed, 86 homes burned in latest East Timor's riot<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (JP): One person died and 86 houses and six
\nvehicles were burned when a frenzied mob of 6,000 Ambeno regency
\nresidents went on a rampage yesterday over a slight against a
\nlocal priest.<\/p>\n
Mahmud Abuh, aged 30, was stabbed to death, according to
\nRegent Filomeno Da Costa Misquita. The regency is 200 km west of
\nhere.<\/p>\n
The unrest started at about 6 a.m. local time and lasted until
\nwell into the afternoon. The predominately Catholic community was
\nreportedly enraged over what it perceived as an insult against
\npriest Lazaurus Mau of the Ambeno parish during a post-Idul Fitri
\ngathering Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The regent said that during the gathering held at the Ambeno
\nmilitary district base, guests, that included civilian, military
\nand religious leaders, were served lunch in boxes.<\/p>\n
The priest, however, was reportedly given a box containing
\nleftover food. He returned the box, but not before a parishioner
\nsaw it and took offense.<\/p>\n
Stories about the incident quickly circulated among the
\nCatholic community, even in villages far removed from the capital
\nof Ambeno, Pantai Makasar.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, a number of people started to protest against the
\ninsult, but security forces were able to control the crowds.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, however, the number of protesters swelled to more
\nthan 6,000, according to Filomeno. The protest deteriorated into
\na riot and an assault on the migrant Moslem Bugis community from
\nSouth Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
It was only contained after the priest himself went out and
\ncalmed the rioters.<\/p>\n
\"The unrest stopped after the priest told the rioters to go
\nhome,\" Filomeno said. \"The security officers had not been able to
\ncontrol the masses. The rioters ignored the officers.<\/p>\n
\"The priest helped us restore the situation. Right now, the
\ncity of Pantai Makasar is back to normal. We are calling on the
\npublic not to create any more unrest. Ambeno had always been safe
\nup to now.\"<\/p>\n
The local military and civilian leaders met yesterday to
\ndiscuss the unrest, and agreed to work together to ease the
\ntension. The police began to investigate the incident
\nimmediately.<\/p>\n
Officials at the Ambeno military command refused to discuss
\nthe situation. Neither East Timor Police Chief Col. Yusuf
\nMucharam nor Ambeno Police Chief Maj. Gusti Made Putu could be
\nreached for comment. (33\/swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/one-killed-86-homes-burned-in-latest-east-timors-riot-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}