Another blast rocks Medan, injuring two

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): A blast occurred at a house belonging to the chairman of North Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) on Jl. Pattimura on Saturday, injuring two people and destroying a bathroom.

The two victims, identified as Puja and Samuel Wahyu Damanik, were tenants of the house belonging Rudolf Pardede.

Locals said the explosion took place at about 11 a.m.

The house is located on the crossroads of Jl. Cut Nyak Makam and Jl. Pattimura, across from the Berkat Kasih drug rehabilitation center managed by Pardede.

Puja and Samuel are in critical condition and are being treated at the police hospital.

North Sumatra Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Jacky Uli said the police could not identify the explosive. He told reporters at the site that it could have been a bomb.

"The police criminal laboratory is still investigating it. We cannot conclude anything yet," Jacky said.

The explosion has undermined the situation in Medan, which has been rocked by several blasts in recent months.

The latest blast took place on Jl. Mataram/Syailendra on Nov. 12, killing two people and injuring four.

The blast occurred near a Protestant church and the office of the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI).

On May 28, a strong explosion rocked another Protestant church on Jl. Padang Bulan, injuring 47 of the congregation. In August, two bomb blasts occurred separately in the vicinity of Jl. Bahagia in Medan Tenggara district.

The North Sumatra Police have yet to arrest anyone in relation to the bombings. The motive for the attacks has also yet to be determined.

The lack of police findings has frustrated the public in Medan. A local businessman is reportedly offering a Rp 100 million award for the capture of the bombers.

On Friday, employees of the Ministry of Finance and students of the Methodist School in Medan were alarmed when a suspicious looking object was found in a spot between the office and the school.

It was a parking attendant who first noticed the object. The bomb squad arrived at the site soon after a receiving report, and took the object for examination.

There has been no announcement about the result of the examination. (39/sur)