Warring groups agree to end clashes<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of Ketapang residents reached an
\nagreement with members of the Ambonese community in Jakarta on
\nMonday to bar against a repeat of the bloody Nov. 22 clash
\nbetween the groups.<\/p>\n
Leaders of both sides told reporters the initiative was their
\nown but they had agreed to make a formal declaration before
\npolice officers.<\/p>\n
The decision was reached under the auspices of city police
\nchief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman at city police headquarters
\non Monday.<\/p>\n
Twenty-two Ketapang residents and 16 Ambonese attended the
\nfour-hour-long meeting.<\/p>\n
The riot unfolded following a rumor, later found to be
\nbaseless, that people of Ambonese descent had burned a local
\nmosque. Residents went on the rampage, burning churches and
\nransacking buildings.<\/p>\n
At least 13 fatalities were recorded and material losses,
\nparticularly to churches and schools, are believed to number in
\nthe hundreds of million rupiah.<\/p>\n
\"We agree to forgive one another and therefore we don't intend
\nto lodge any legal suits against each other,\" said Isaac
\nSairlela, head of the Ambonese group.<\/p>\n
Abdul Azin M. Balhur of the Ketapang residents echoed Isaac's
\nsentiments.<\/p>\n
Abdul added that the residents' grievance was with the owners
\nof two amusement centers, Keno and C&C, on Jl. KH Zainul Arifin
\nin West Jakarta where the clash erupted.<\/p>\n
\"The owners never mingled with local residents and they never
\nasked for permission before setting up the buildings for their
\namusement centers.\"<\/p>\n
Both centers employed Ambonese security guards. Keno was razed
\nby fire and C&C vandalized in the unrest.<\/p>\n
Also witnessing the declaration were city police spokesman Lt.
\nCol. Edward Aritonang and police detective chief Col. Gories
\nMere.<\/p>\n
In his remarks, Noegroho praised the groups' initiative and
\ninvited them to work together to safeguard the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\"I urge you to participate in city security as the police
\nalone will not work efficiently without your help.\" (emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/warring-groups-agree-to-end-clashes-1447893297",
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