Eight dead as riot hits Sampit, Central Kalimantan

JAKARTA (JP): Communal conflict erupted in Sampit, Central Kalimantan in the wee hours of Sunday and dragged on for the rest of the day, leaving at least eight dead.

The conflict in the East Kotawaringan regency capital erupted after a mob attacked the Pelalangan migrant settlement area at about 00:30 a.m. leaving five people dead and several in critical condition.

Tension escalated throughout the rest of the day as retaliation spread and by Sunday evening the death toll had risen further.

Several residential buildings were also seen on fire.

Antara identified six of the fatalities as Kama, 60, Sayati, 50, Aris, 45, Kilan, 45, Matayo, 65, and Miskani, 35. Two others have not yet been identified.

Most of the dead were reportedly residents of Pelalangan.

All outdoor activities in Sampit, about 214-kilometers west of provincial capital Palangka Raya, ceased as shops remained closed and most residents remained in their houses.

Sampit is regarded as the major industrial and commercial hub of Central Kalimantan.

The motive for the attack remains unclear but it is suspected to have been motivated by interethnic rivalry which has already hit several parts of Kalimantan before.

While there is no confirmation, the latest riot is believed to involve Maduranese settlers and the local Dayak ethnic group.

Kalimantan is home to a large contingent of Maduranese migrants.

Various sharp weapons and traditional mandau swords were found on the scene in Pelalangan.

In 1997 widespread riots gripped Sambas regency in West Kalimantan leaving hundreds dead.

In October last year, a curfew had to be imposed in the West Kalimantan provincial capital of Pontianak as three days of bloody riots wrought havoc in the city.

In their cleanup operations security forces recovered 11 bodies from the Pontianak riot.

In mid-December an intercommunity clash erupted in Kereng Pangi, some 116 kilometers from Sampit, leaving one dead. This was followed several days later by two bomb explosions in Sampit which killed two people.

Deputy Regent of East Kotawaringin Thamrin Noor on Sunday afternoon said that Sampit was still tense, but efforts to calm the situation were underway.

Security forces from both the police and military were on high alert and have blockaded strategic points including gateways into the city in a bid to prevent a spread of the violence.

Central Kalimantan Deputy Governor Nahson Taway, provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Pranoto and local military commanders in from Palangka Raya to Sampit at about 9 a.m.

Further troop and police reinforcements have also been sent from Palangka Raya.

A wave of refugees were also beginning an exodus outside the town. Most were heading in the direction of Palangka Raya. (mds)