Cilacap people remain on edge

Cilacap people remain on edge

CILACAP, Central Java (JP): Residents braced for another
series of unrest last night in the usually quiet coastal town of
Cilacap, despite the presence of military troops.

At 9 p.m. last night mobs were seen stoning several shops, but
security forces quickly chased them away. Residents were
preparing for the worst after nervous calm had been restored
during the day.

Saturday night's rampage spilled over into dawn yesterday as
mobs ran amok, attacking houses and general goods stores selling
basic commodities.

Cilacap Police reported that it had received reports of 27
locations being attacked since Saturday night.

Witnesses saw at least 10 houses being raided and ransacked
along with three stores, including a bicycle shop.

But after dawn there were no reports of further flare-ups.

Cilacap Police precinct chief Lt. Col. Andi Lolo told The
Jakarta Post last night that reinforcements were being sent from
Yogyakarta to beef up the some 750 security forces already here.

"The rampage last night (Saturday night and early Sunday
morning) was intolerable. They looted and burned houses and
shops," Andi said.

So far there have been no reports of casualties.

According to Andi, 62 people have been detained, of which 27
have officially been classified as suspects.

Local military resort commander, Col. M. Noer Muis, admitted
that during the day the situation was relatively stable. However,
at night people quickly began to cluster in mobs and went on a
rampage.

"Generally speaking, the unrest caused by the fishermen (at
the port area) is under control, but it has now spread to shops,
particularly those selling fishing equipment, even to stores
selling basic commodities," Noer said.

The unrest began Friday when thousands of fishermen ran amok
at the Nusantara Fishery port in reaction to unfair fishing
practices in the area.

Ten trawlers, four cars and 120 fishing nets were burned and
at least four other vehicles pushed into the sea.

The mayhem started when angry fishermen entered the fishing
port premises and set fire to moored boats owned by fishermen
from Bagansiapi-api, Riau.

Local fishermen claimed of a large social disparity between
them and fishermen from Bagansiapi-api.

Workers employed on the trawlers have also frequently
complained of being paid too little, an average of Rp 2,000 per
day.

Andi yesterday claimed the rioting fishermen had now been
"infiltrated" by certain groups and that the 27 suspects were not
fishermen.

Security officials yesterday also held meetings with local
fishermen groups to urge calm. "They agreed but pointed out that
after Friday's calamity, they had nothing to do with the attacks
taking place," Andi said.

Meanwhile in Semarang, Maj. Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, chief of the
Diponegoro Military Command supervising Central Java and
Yogyakarta, claimed the situation was under control.

He called on Cilacap residents to resume their daily
activities and not be influenced by misleading rumors sowed by
certain parties to create chaos in the town. (45/har/rms)