46 people arrested in Dili stampede

DILI, East Timor (JP): Police arrested yesterday 46 people involved in a violent demonstration against an official's remarks which allegedly insulted Catholicism.

Local police chief Col. Andreas Sugianto said the demonstrators set fire to four motorcycles, attacked four cars and burned down several houses. Up to eight people were reported injured, some seriously.

Street demonstrations involving hundreds of people, mostly high school students, occurred in various places throughout the town.

Eyewitnesses said protesters stopped motorcyclists and harassed immigrants. Timor Timur (East Timor) University, the setting of numerous demonstrations over the past couple of years, was heavily guarded by security officers.

The students were protesting insults to Roman Catholicism, the predominant religion in the former Portuguese colony, allegedly made by justice official Sanusi Abubakar on Monday, when he addressed inmates at Maliana prison, 73 kilometers southwest of here.

Sanusi, a Moslem, allegedly called Catholicism a "nonsense" religion and insulted the Virgin Mary. Police said Sanusi was arrested after the 24 inmates reported the remarks to the authorities and the governor.

The waterfront town was tense throughout yesterday. Security officers in anti-riot gear and carrying tear gas were seen on high alert in several places, notably Timor Timur University and the diocesan premises.

The rioting practically crippled business activities in the town as shops and restaurants were closed. Student sources said they planned to continue demonstrating this week.

Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares said he deeply regrets the incident. He stressed that the authorities will take tough action against those who incited the violence. (yac/pan)