Palangkaraya back to normal after violent incidents<\/p>\n
PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan (JP): The Central Kalimantan
\ncapital of Palangkaraya returned to normal on Sunday but tension
\nwas still in the air following a series of violent incidents on
\nThursday and clashes between indigenous Dayaks and police on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
Army troops, rifles in hand, were standing by in strategic
\nparts of the city and public places, while police Mobile Brigade
\ntroopers guarded the Bunderan Besar area where Friday's violence
\ntook place.<\/p>\n
The Army was actively involved in securing the city after the
\nCentral Kalimantan Police chief, Brig. Gen. Bambang Pranoto,
\nofficially requested military help in restoring order.<\/p>\n
Some shops and markets were open and traffic was heavier than
\nin previous days, but people said that the security outlook was
\nstill uncertain.<\/p>\n
Locals said that calm in the morning could easily turn into
\nchaos in the evening.<\/p>\n
Central Kalimantan Governor Asmawi Agani said to The Jakarta
\nPost by phone on Sunday that he hoped that schools and commercial
\nactivities would be back to normal on Monday.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Dayak demonstrators ran amok in the Bunderan Besar
\narea in Palangkaraya in protest at the shooting of demonstrators
\non Thursday.<\/p>\n
The protesters attacked several police stations and set a
\npolice truck ablaze, while hundreds of students also marched to
\nthe provincial legislature to protest the security forces'
\nactions on the previous day.<\/p>\n
Shortly after President Abdurrahman visited the riot-torn city
\non Thursday, Dayak residents took the streets demanding a
\nresolution to the Sampit conflict, which has left at least 400
\npeople dead. Most of the victims were Madurese migrants. The
\npolice opened fire to disperse the demonstrators and six people
\nwere reportedly killed. However, the police have so far only
\nconfirmed the death of Hendrison, 29, in the melee.<\/p>\n
Central Kalimantan Police spokesman Second Adj. Insp. Andi
\nSelvi told the Post on Sunday that the joint security measures
\nintroduced by the Police and the Army had proved to be
\nsuccessful.<\/p>\n
Rumors have it that locals plan to stage an even bigger
\ndemonstration (than Friday's) on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"That could be just rumors,\" Andi said. \"The most important
\nthing is that the Police and the Army are ready to face any
\neventualities. But we hope that the worst doesn't come to the
\nworst. Peace is much better for the people.\"<\/p>\n
The provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Pranoto has
\nissued a shoot-on-sight order against all rioters in a bid to
\nrestore law and order.<\/p>\n
Governor Asmawi said he welcomed the decision. \"I fully
\nsupport it, but both the police and military must be wise in
\nimplementing the order so as not to enrage the people.\"<\/p>\n
The governor also added that all cases related to the previous
\nriots would be processed to the full extent of the law and \"that
\nmeans there will be no release of the 84 riot suspects.\"<\/p>\n
\"Sometimes we have to play by the book and sometimes we have
\nto be flexible. This time we want security restored quickly and
\neconomic recovery,\" he added. (32\/edt\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/palangkaraya-back-to-normal-after-violent-incidents-1447893297",
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