Clashes claim three lives in Pangkalan Bun

JAKARTA (JP): Communal clashes flared up in the town of Pangkalan Bun, capital of West Kotawaringin regency in West Kalimantan province, claiming the lives of three migrant settlers.

Antara reported on Tuesday that the killings of the Madurese settlers by local Dayak people took place on Monday in two places, at Kumai and at Kampung Raja.

The first incident took place at around 6 p.m. in Kumai, around 12 kilometers from Pangkalan Bun, where two unidentified people were killed.

The other incident occurred in Kampung Raja of South Arut district at 11 p.m. The victim was identified as Abdussamad.

A total of 1,669 personnel from the police and military deployed in the town seemed to have managed to control the situation but the news agency reported that as of Tuesday afternoon the town remained tense.

West Kotawaringin regency is about 229 kilometers away from East Kotawaringin regency, where the bloody killings first erupted late February. At least 500 people were killed in the spree of violence in the town of Sampit in East Kotawaringin.

On Tuesday thousands of Madurese flocked the Kumai seaport, trying to leave the town. They were bound for Surabaya in East Java and Semarang in Central Java.

Antara reported that a total of 3,000 Madurese had left the town boarding a vessel, Lauser.

An official at West Kotawaringin regency Demud Anggen confirmed the wave of Madurese refugees but he gave a less number of 1,800 people.

In a related development in Jakarta, National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said at least 50 people were named as suspects and detained by local police in West Kotawaringin following Monday's killings.

"In the latest report from Pangkalan Bun police precinct, 83 people have been arrested but only 50 of them were finally declared suspects. The 33 other people were released because of lack of evidence," Didi said as quoted by Antara.

Police data stated that two people were killed and six houses were torched. (emf)