T. Abang clash due to 'lack of understanding'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie
\nSjamsoeddin has called Tuesday's clash between Kebon Melati
\nresidents in Tanah Abang and Irian Jaya youths a
\n\"misunderstanding\".<\/p>\n
\"The situation is now under control. I checked on the location
\nmyself when the clash happened,\" he said Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie urged Tanah Abang residents and all Jakartans not to
\ntake the law into their own hands.<\/p>\n
\"If people could control their emotions and anger, handle
\nthemselves properly, these kind of things would not happen,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Three people, including a local senior military officer, were
\ninjured in the clash between local residents and Irian Jaya
\nyouths living at the Cendrawasih dormitory.<\/p>\n
Six hundred and fifty riot officers from the Central Jakarta
\nPolice and the Jakarta Military Command, were dispatched to Jl.
\nKH. Mas Mansyur to control the brawl.<\/p>\n
The injured victims were rushed to nearby Pelni Hospital in
\nPetamburan for treatment.<\/p>\n
They were identified as Tanah Abang Subdistrict Military
\nCommand Chief Capt. Wayan S. and civilians Hepi Suryadi and Budi.<\/p>\n
A truck was burned in the incident.<\/p>\n
Police confiscated four arrows, believed to be poisonous, from
\nthe Irian Jaya youths.<\/p>\n
The Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah said Tuesday
\nthat the clash was not related to earlier clashes in the area.<\/p>\n
\"Please don't mix this with other Tanah Abang issues. This is
\nmerely a misunderstanding between our brothers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
But he confirmed that police and military officers have
\nidentified those who allegedly started the clash. Among them were
\nSyahroni of Kebon Melati, Jaelani who lived next door to the
\nCendrawasih dormitory, and a former Armed Forces Special Command
\ncorporal Adjat.<\/p>\n
\"We didn't detain them for questioning because we need more
\nevidence,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The commotion was believed to have been sparked by PT
\nMondial's cleaning activities. PT Mondial's office is located
\nnear the dormitory.<\/p>\n
When some of the workers burned the garbage, Kebon Melati
\nresidents mistakenly regarded it as an attempt at arson conducted
\nby the dorm's occupants.<\/p>\n
The Kebon Melati residents then flocked to the dormitory and
\nthrew homemade bombs.<\/p>\n
The clash was brought under control at about 11 p.m. when
\nleading figures from both sides were asked to calm down the
\ngroup.<\/p>\n
A dialog was held to find the cause of the problem. Local
\nresidents and the Irianese later agreed to carry out an
\nintegrated night watch, monitored by security officers.<\/p>\n
When asked to comment on the recent spate of clashes in Tanah
\nAbang, Sjafrie said the incident was just a \"micro\" case.<\/p>\n
\"Those clashes happened to express anger and dissatisfaction.
\nThis must be stopped. If we give leniency and ignore these
\nissues, it could disrupt unity.<\/p>\n
\"I pledge to punish every officer or any other party found
\nguilty in the Tanah Abang clash. I will not defend culprits or
\nany of my officials,\" he added. (edt\/04)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/t-abang-clash-due-to-lack-of-understanding-1447893297",
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