Calm returns to Surakarta after Wednesday's violence
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Calm returned to the town on Thursday evening after being hit by one day of unrest.
At least one died, scores were injured and dozens of cars, offices and business centers were either vandalized or destroyed by fire in a riot here on Wednesday.
The town suffered at least Rp 10 billion (US$2.5 million) in losses following the outburst of violence instigated by Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) supporters, who were disappointed at party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's presidential election defeat on Wednesday, Surakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Ramli El Aris said on Thursday.
At least 23 inmates reportedly fled Surakarta Penitentiary after a gang of hoodlums broke into the prison and unlocked the cell doors.
Police arrested 21 people involved in Wednesday's fray.
"Most of the alleged rioters are jobless or street people who normally hang around the city's intersections," Surakarta Police deputy chief Maj. Erwin Triwanto said.
The dead man was Sartono, 29, a native of Sidorejo subdistrict, who was a member of the PDI Perjuangan task force. He was fatally wounded by a sword while attempting to calm a crowd.
Antara reported that Sartono's colleague, Budi, 26, suffered severe stab wounds and was being treated at Kasih Ibu Hospital.
Another victim, whose identity has not been released, was injured by a stray bullet fired by security personnel.
As of Thursday afternoon, tension was still evident in the city following calls for war between followers of PDI Perjuangan and supporters of the "axis force" political alliance.
The axis force, comprising eight Muslim-based parties, was established by chairman of National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais about three months ago. The force named Abdurrahman Wahid its presidential candidate.
Hundreds of members of Surakarta's Muslim Youth Forum rallied around the city, shouting "Jihad against the rioters" on Thursday.
"We urge the forum not to be too aggressive. Its members should secure their own domain and avoid conflict," Col. Bambang Aris Sampurno, Surakarta Police chief, said.
The outburst of anger suddenly stopped later in the day and turned into a fiesta when thousands of people poured into Jl. Slamet Riyadi, blowing vehicle horns and praising Megawati's vice presidential election victory.
Public transportation was scarce on Thursday, leaving hundreds of people stranded.
One of the 23 inmates who escaped from Surakarta Penitentiary was captured by the police in the afternoon.
The prisoner, identified as Loso, was arrested at his house in Karanganyar, about 25 kilometers east of Surakarta.
During the jailbreak, the inmates ran away with 100 revolver bullets and 64 rifle bullets as well as a television set, a tape recorder and a telephone.
Eighty-eight bullets were eventually found in Sukohardjo, about nine kilometers west of Surakarta. No details of the exact location were given. (44/har/edt)