Thousands fleeing riot-torn Sampit<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A naval ship is steaming towards Central
\nKalimantan, to evacuate thousands of refugees fleeing ethnic
\nviolence in Sampit that by official estimates has claimed 57
\nlives.<\/p>\n
The spokesman of the Navy's Eastern Fleet Command, Lt. Col.
\nDitya Soedarsono, confirmed in Surabaya, East Java, that a
\nlanding ship, ironically named KRI Teluk Sampit-515, had been
\nsent to Central Kalimatan to transport thousands of refugees.<\/p>\n
"I do not know where the refugees will be shipped to but it is
\nclear they have to leave Sampit," Ditya said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
The Navy ship, which can carry some 2,000 people, was sent in
\nafter six vessels belonging to PT Pelni in Surabaya canceled
\ntheir departures because their civilian crews were afraid of the
\ndanger it might involve.<\/p>\n
Refugees currently sheltered in various locations in Sampit
\nwill be taken to the nearby port in Samuda, about 40 kilometers
\nsouth of Sampit, where they will board the Navy vessel.<\/p>\n
The evacuations are expected to commence on Friday morning.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that some 25,000 people are seeking refuge in
\ntightly guarded temporary shelters near military compounds,
\npolice stations and local administration offices.<\/p>\n
One of the most crowded temporary shelters is in the district
\nhead's office in Sampit, where a woman gave birth in the yard of
\nthe office.<\/p>\n
While a majority of the refugees are Madurese migrants, there
\nare refugees from many other ethnic groups, particularly
\nJavanese.<\/p>\n
The ethnic conflict, which initially involved migrant Madurese
\nsettlers and local Dayaks, first erupted in Sampit in the early
\nhours of Sunday.<\/p>\n
After a brief respite violence again exploded on Tuesday night
\nand spread to other parts of the province, which has seen
\nrepeated recurrences of ethnic clashes in recent years.<\/p>\n
Central Kalimantan Police deputy chief Sr. Comr. M. Djatmiko
\nsaid 57 people had died in clashes since Sunday.<\/p>\n
The spokesman for the office of the district head, Jauhar
\nFauzi, said the number of fatalities stood at 55, pointing to the
\nnumber of dead at Dr. Murjani General Hospital.<\/p>\n
However, a Sampit resident who helped in clean-up operations
\nin the town said the number of dead was closer to 100, with many
\nbodies still on the streets.<\/p>\n
The situation in Sampit itself remains tense despite the
\nincreased presence of security forces, with sporadic outbreaks of
\nviolence occurring and houses still being torched.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Jakarta, the National Police have set up a
\nspecial team to evaluate the situation, with three middle-ranking
\nofficers due to travel to Sampit.<\/p>\n
The National Police's chief of general information services,
\nSr. Comr. Timbul Sianturi, also revealed on Thursday that police
\nseized 12 homemade bombs and a large firecracker from several
\nhouses on Jl. Pasar and Jl. Sukabumi in Sampit.<\/p>\n
Timbul said the owners of the houses where the bombs were
\nfound were among the 41 people being detained.<\/p>\n
He said as many as 79 people had been taken into police
\ncustody, with 38 being released because of a lack of evidence.<\/p>\n
According to police records received in Jakarta, 57 houses in
\nand around Sampit have been damaged and 23 have been burned down
\nby mobs.<\/p>\n
He said police have deployed at least 900 officers to Sampit
\nand the surrounding areas, in addition to 300 soldiers from the
\nIndonesian Military, to stem the violence.<\/p>\n
A delegation of Dayak community leaders and Central Kalimantan
\nleaders arrived in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon and met with
\nNational Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro.<\/p>\n
The delegation was led by M. Usop, who on Wednesday in
\nPalangka Raya stated that while migrants were welcome in Central
\nKalimantan, those who could not adapt to the local customs should
\nleave.<\/p>\n
During the meeting in Jakarta, the delegation presented
\nseveral demands aimed at helping to calm the situation. Among the
\ndemands was the release of Dayaks being detained in connection
\nwith the current violence.<\/p>\n
They also demanded that Central Kalimantan Police chief Brig.
\nGen. Bambang Pranoto be dismissed for failing to stop the
\nclashes. (jun\/hdn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/thousands-fleeing-riot-torn-sampit-1447893297",
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