W. Sumatra regency on edge following deadly clashes<\/p>\n
Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang, West Sumatra<\/p>\n
The situation remained tense in Pasaman regency, West Sumatra, on
\nMonday, six days after a clash between two villages there left
\nfive people dead and six others seriously injured.<\/p>\n
The violence prompted the West Sumatra provincial police to
\ntake over security in the regency and deploy additional officers
\nto the area.<\/p>\n
West Sumatra Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Lango Simalango
\nsaid 400 additional officers had been deployed in Pasaman
\nfollowing last week's violence.<\/p>\n
\"For the time being, we are taking over security,\" he said,
\nadding that West Sumatra Police chief Brig. Gen. Adang Firman had
\nbeen in the regency since last Saturday.<\/p>\n
\"He (Adang) has issued a shoot-on-sight order against rioters
\nin order to prevent further unrest there,\" Lango said.<\/p>\n
The clash between residents of Air Bangis and Ujung Gading
\nvillages last Wednesday night followed a dispute over passengers
\nbetween drivers of minibuses and motorized pedicabs. Eleven
\nminibuses were destroyed in the ensuing clash.<\/p>\n
Then last Friday, two police officers patrolling the area on
\nbikes were injured when an unidentified party threw a homemade
\nbomb at them.<\/p>\n
Throughout Sunday and Monday the situation in Pasaman remained
\ntense. Police have intensified their patrols and there are
\nsecurity posts at almost every crossroad in the two villages.<\/p>\n
The streets of Air Bangis are deserted, with residents, most
\nof them fishermen, remaining indoors.<\/p>\n
Some people have fled Air Bangis, seeking the safety of
\nPanjang island, which is located about seven miles offshore.<\/p>\n
In Ujung Gading, locals have constructed barricades to block
\nroads leading to markets and other centers of economic activity.<\/p>\n
\"We've asked them to stop putting up barricades and are now
\ntrying to clear the streets leading to Air Bangis,\" police
\nspokesman Lango said.<\/p>\n
He said the provincial police chief and the Pasaman
\nadministration were trying to arrange a meeting between leaders
\nof the two villages in an effort to defuse the tension.<\/p>\n
\"The police chief has met and held talks with the people in
\norder to find a peaceful solution. Meanwhile, however, we have
\ntaken over security in both areas,\" Lango said.<\/p>\n
Also in Pasaman regency last week, the residents of two
\nvillages in Talamau district clashed, leaving seven people,
\nincluding a police officer, injured.<\/p>\n
The conflict was triggered by a dispute over a road repair
\nproject in Tombang village.<\/p>\n
According to the head of the West Sumatra provincial council,
\nMasfar Rasyid, Pasaman regency is prone to conflicts because of
\nthe many different ethnic groups living in the area.<\/p>\n
\"We have asked the regent of Pasaman, Pak Baharuddin, to do a
\nbetter job anticipating these clashes. They occur quite often in
\nthat area,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/w-sumatra-regency-on-edge-following-deadly-clashes-1447893297",
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