E. Timor refugees cause trouble

E. Timor refugees cause trouble

ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: East Timorese refugees in the
East Nusa Tenggara town of Belu continue to intimidate and
blackmail locals, residents and officials said.

Many of the refugees, armed with sharp weapons, have robbed
local residents, Belu Regent Marsel Bere told The Jakarta Post.

"I frequently receive reports from village personnel that
refugees are intimidating and terrorizing local residents, making
them very anxious," he said.

Bere said the victims were powerless against the blackmailers,
who often carried sharp weapons.

The government has extended the deadline until August for
thousands of East Timorese refugees to return home or be
resettled in Sumatra, Kalimantan or Sulawesi.

A number of local people have been the victims of murder,
violent robberies and thefts since the refugees arrived in
Atambua in 1999. Bere said that at least 10 people had been
murdered by refugees, and many more had been severely injured and
robbed.

He added that the refugees had also taken over fertile land
owned by locals.

Belu Military commander Lt. Col. Inf. Didi Sudiana said he had
received the reports and had ordered his men to take action
against the refugees in order to prevent conflict in the regency.
--JP