Dili residents live in fear of `ninja' attacks

Dili residents live in fear of `ninja' attacks

DILI, East Timor (JP): Residents are hiding in their homes
under a self-imposed curfew as reports about mysterious gangs in
"ninja" hoods terrorizing the capital spread like wildfire.

Taxis and other means of public transportation, which are
usually available until 11 p.m., stop operating as early as four
o'clock in the afternoon, causing workers to have to walk home.
Most of them walk in groups for fear of being attacked by the
"ninjas".

Gas stations close at around the same time.

The terrified town residents have begun to organize and arm
themselves with various weapons, ranging from machetes to rocks.

"Whoever passes along a kampong street in the evening is
attacked by the residents," provincial councilman Manuel
Carrascalao told The Jakarta Post here yesterday.

There have been conflicting reports about the gangs. Two
hooded men recently caught while roaming the streets reportedly
claimed they were being paid by the Armed Forces "just to disturb
sleeping people".

The public suspected them of being out to terrorize pro-
independence activists.

The allegations were promptly denied by East Timor Police
Chief Col. Andreas Sugianto. "There are no ninjas in East Timor,"
he said.

Deputy Governor J. Haribowo said last week that the "ninja"
scare was part of the rivalry between two camps with differing
opinions on the integration of East Timor into Indonesia.

East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Soares told reporters in
Jakarta yesterday that reports about the mysterious gangs were
being cooked up by politicians from the clandestine group
Fretilin.

"The rumor is not true. The Fretilin just want to tarnish the
image of groups of people who have been supporting the Armed
Forces in maintaining security and order," he said.

"This clandestine group spread rumors about ninjas, attempting
to frame the people who support the Armed Forces. There are no
ninjas," he said.

Councilman Manuel Carrascalao called on the authorities to do
more than merely deny the rumors. "I call on the government and
the Armed Forces not to go rounding up anti-integration rebels at
night," he said.

"Please arrest people during daytime, this is a law abiding
country," he added.

Manuel said he believed the "ninjas" are part of a campaign to
subdue fresh unrest in the territory.

"If the local people are harassed, they will fight back in any
way they can," Manuel said.

East Timor military spokesman Maj. Laedan Simbolon has denied
any military links with the so-called "ninja" groups, saying they
are East Timorese who oppose Indonesia's 1976 integration of the
former Portuguese colony.

Reuters reported that at least four western embassies,
including the American embassy have expressed concern over
incidents this month, including the recent killing of six
Timorese by Indonesian forces. (yac/swe/imn)