Two killed as violence flares in C. Kalimantan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): While the ethnic-related tension in Pontianak,
\nWest Kalimantan has gradually ceased, fresh conflict flared up in
\nthe West Kotawaringin district of Kumai in Central Kalimantan
\nlate on Saturday, leaving at least two people dead.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the Central Kalimantan Police Comr. Anjan Putera
\nconfirmed the violence which involved Dayak natives and Madurese
\nmigrants, but said no detailed reports had been sent by police in
\nWest Kotawaringin.<\/p>\n
\"The incidents took place but we have not yet received
\nofficial reports from local police,\" Anjan said as quoted by
\nAntara on Sunday.<\/p>\n
West Kotawaringin is located some 450 kilometers from
\nPalangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan province.<\/p>\n
An official at Kumai health clinic confirmed the deaths.
\n\"Reports that reach us stated that seven people were killed but
\nwe only received two bodies here.\"<\/p>\n
One of the deceased was identified as Tahlin, 53, a resident
\nof Kumai Hilir, while the other remained unidentified.<\/p>\n
The two were found with severe slash wounds to their necks.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Pontianak, the evacuation of Madurese refugees
\nfrom their current shelters in the town was conducted quietly on
\nthe eve of the July 1 deadline for the migrants to leave the
\ntown.<\/p>\n
The evacuation of some 117 families to a new location in
\nTebang Kacang began late Saturday. They were transported in three
\ntrucks under tight security.<\/p>\n
Local Dayaks have warned of further bloodshed in Pontianak if
\nthe refugees refused to leave the equatorial town by July 1 at
\nthe latest. The refugees fled Sambas two years ago, as ethnic
\nriots claimed hundreds of lives.<\/p>\n
West Kalimantan Governor Aspar Aswin confirmed the evacuation
\nbut failed to reveal the exact number of Madurese migrants
\nrelocated from their current shelters.<\/p>\n
Aspar said the evacuation was conducted secretly for the sake
\nof the Madurese's safety as they were divided over the relocation
\nplan.<\/p>\n
\"They left (for the new resettlement) of their own volition
\nand for their own safety,\" Aspar told reporters after attending a
\nceremony to mark the 55th anniversary of the National Police.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile chairman of the Madurese Community Association in
\nWest Kalimantan (IKBMKB) Sulaiman told reporters that some 20
\nfamilies would also be transferred to Sungai Asam later on
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
Prior to the Saturday transfer of refugees, a meeting was held
\nbetween provincial officials in charge of the relocation,
\nrepresentatives of Dayak, Madurese and Malay people and the West
\nKalimantan Police Brig. Gen. Nurudin Usman at the local office of
\nthe National Commission on Human Rights.<\/p>\n
Around 68,000 Madurese refugees who had fled Sambas are
\ncurrently sheltering in five locations in Pontianak.<\/p>\n
Separately in Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi,
\none battalion of army reinforcement troops was dispatched to
\nriot-torn Poso in the neighboring Central Sulawesi province.<\/p>\n
The chief of Wirabuana Military Command Maj. Gen. Ahmad Yahya
\nsaid the battalion, numbering some 700 personnel, would be posted
\nin Poso and the border between Central and South Sulawesi to
\nprevent violence from spreading to the south.<\/p>\n
Reinforcements were sent as fresh sporadic violence in Poso
\ncontinued. At least three people were killed last week.<\/p>\n
\"If it (the violence) escalates, we will send more troops,\"
\nAhmad said.<\/p>\n
Poso was rocked by clashes between Muslims and Christians last
\nyear, killing over 200 people.<\/p>\n
Police have named three more suspects in the violence, who are
\nfacing charges of masterminding the riot.<\/p>\n
\"Earlier they were questioned as witnesses,\" Central Sulawesi
\nPolice chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak said, declining to
\nidentify the new suspects.<\/p>\n
The Palu district court sentenced Fabianus Tibo, Marinus Riwu,
\nand Dominggus da Silva to death in April for their role in the
\nconflict. They have appealed to the Supreme Court after the
\nprovincial high court upheld the lower court's verdict. (emf\/27)<\/p>",
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