Calm returns to Surakarta after Wednesday's violence

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)