Death toll from Padang riot rises

The Jakarta Post, Muhammad Nafik, Jakarta

The death toll from a riot in the West Sumatra town of Tanah Datar rose to two on Wednesday as tension remained high there, with more police personnel deployed to the scene.

Spokesman for the West Sumatra Police Adj. Sr. Comr. L. Simalango said 20 platoons of police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) were dispatched to help restore security after the unrest.

"The security situation there is under control and an independent team formed by the provincial police is conducting an investigation into the incident," he was quoted by Antara as saying on Wednesday evening.

West Sumatra Police chief Brig. Gen. Adang Firman had arrived at the scene shortly after the riot to calm local residents.

The riot broke out on Tuesday when police in Tanah Datar opened fire on an angry mob, killing a 37-year old man, identified as Sofyan and injuring 15 others.

Another victim, Jufrizal, 30, died on Wednesday evening after receiving treatment at Batu Sangkar General hospital, said Second Lt. Ida Sri Astuti, a senior police officer in the West Sumatra capital of Padang.

The injured people included chief of the Tanjung Emas district military command Maj. Sgt. Yonefis and his colleague Chief Sgt. Syafril, Ida told Antara.

It remains unclear, however, why the servicemen were found among the angry mob.

At least five motorcycles were set on fire during the riot, which was sparked by a minor traffic accident earlier on Monday, involving a local police officer, Chief Brig. Hanafiah, and a 60- year-old horse cart driver, Samin.

Having heard that Hanafiah beat the driver after the crash, people from the Tanjung Emas and Saroaso areas near the town stormed the Batu Sangkar Police station to talk with officers there.

More people gathered at the station and they suddenly ran amok. Police personnel opened fire to disperse the mob.

The angry protesters reportedly hurled Molotov cocktails at the police station.

Simalango said local residents and government leaders agreed to settle the case through the courts.

Nobody has been named a suspect in connection with the incident as the investigation is still ongoing, he added.

Three of the victims, Susanto, 35, Bambang, 22, and Jon Hendra, 23, were still in a serious condition as a result of gunshot wounds in a local hospital on Wednesday.

The Tanah Datar administration said it would cover the cost of the victims' medical treatment.