Police question former rector over his role in ethnic riots<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): National Police are still questioning former
\nrector of Palangka Raya University, KMA Usop, for his alleged
\nrole in inciting interethnic clashes between local Dayaks and
\nMadurese migrants in Central Kalimantan, which killed more than
\n400 people.<\/p>\n
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said on
\nMonday that the police would take action against anybody who made
\nstatements which created mass unrest and provoked chaos.<\/p>\n
\"The police do not care who committed the crime ... whether he
\nis an important person or an average person, whoever he is, he or
\nshe will have to deal with police questioning,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Didi, however, refused to disclose the content of the
\nquestioning. \"We are still interrogating the former university
\nrector. Give us time to investigate the case.\"<\/p>\n
Police arrested Usop last Thursday in Palangka Raya, from
\nwhere he was flown to Banjarmasin, and then to Jakarta to be
\nimmediately interrogated by National Police detectives.<\/p>\n
Usop's arrest was fiercely protested by Dayak leaders in
\nCentral Kalimantan, who took their objections to the provincial
\nlegislative council in Palangka Raya, where they were received by
\ncouncil deputy speaker Rinco Norkim.<\/p>\n
Dayak leaders called on the council, Central Kalimantan
\nGovernor Asmawi Agani and police chief Brig. Gen. Lodewyk to work
\ntoward Usop's release.<\/p>\n
Yehu Asin, one Dayak leaders who went to the council on
\nMonday, warned that the arrest of Usop would affect security in
\nthe province, and therefore, they wanted the police to release
\nUsop.<\/p>\n
\"This agreement (among Dayak leaders to demand Usop's release)
\nis to maintain security in Central Kalimantan, especially in
\nPalangka Raya, and to prevent a spontaneous response (from
\nDayaks).<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, the local administration and also the central
\ngovernment are expected to act wisely in considering this matter
\n(the demand to release Usop),\" Yehu said.<\/p>\n
Rinco said that the council leaders would meet on Tuesday to
\ndiscuss the demand. And Yehu said representatives of Dayak
\nleaders would return to the council building on Tuesday to press
\nthe council to pay attention to their demand. (ylt)<\/p>",
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