Communal brawls claim two lives

Communal brawls claim two lives

PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Fierce communal clashes separately
erupted in two regencies of Mentawai and Sijunjung in West
Sumatra province on Monday during which two people were burned to
death, two others were seriously injured, and seven houses were
torched.

Mentawai regent Antonius Saleleubaja confirmed that the
incident took place in Sirilogui village in North Siberut
district, saying it was triggered by growing rumors about alleged
black magic practitioners.

A mob accused Krisman, 22, and his spiritual teacher Pinda,
60, of practicing black magic and burned houses belonging to them
and their relatives. Pinda was burned alive inside his house
while Krisman and his family managed to flee from the people and
temporarily sought refugee at the local police post.

Meanwhile in Sijunjung regency, a communal brawl was caused by
quarrels between seven commuters from South Sumatra's Musi Rawas
area and alleged thugs operating at the local Kiliran Jao bus
terminal.

Witnesses said that one of the commuters was angered as his
hand was pulled by one of the thugs. He then slapped the thug on
the face. The thug reported the incident to his group who then
mobbed the seven commuters. One of the commuters was burned alive
during the brawl.

West Sumatra Police Detective chief Sr. Comr. Octavianus Far
Far said that police had arrested three residents of Kiliran Jao
village.

Separately in Ambon, Maluku province, at least eight people
were killed and 17 others were injured when a group of heavily
armed people launched attacks here late on Sunday, officials said
on Monday.

Two of the fatalities were believed to be from the group that
launched the attacks at Soya Kecil, Belakang Soya and Karang
Panjang in Ambon. (28/49)