Fast action ordered for N. Luwu conflicts

Fast action ordered for N. Luwu conflicts

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Wirabuana Military Commander
Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusuma has ordered security personnel here
to disarm warring residents in North Luwu regency.

The order was made on Friday following an overnight visit to
the troubled area, some 240 kilometers north of here. During the
unprecedented trip, Agus was accompanied by provincial police
chief Brig. Gen. Mudji Santoso.

"Clashes will only cause the people to suffer," Agus told The
Jakarta Post on Friday.

"I hope the sectarian conflict will not escalate as is
happening in Ambon. I won't take the matter lightly, because it
deals with human life. Even a single death is an extraordinary
situation that needs handling quickly."

The protracted sectarian conflict in Maluku has claimed
hundreds of lives since it first exploded in January last year.

Agus said he would return to the regency soon to hold dialogs
with the locked-horned groups and seek a settlement to the
conflict.

Tension was reportedly running high in several districts in
North Luwu and Luwu regencies on the second day of Idul Fitri on
Sunday following a series of communal clashes that first erupted
on Dec. 29.

At least four people have reportedly been killed and scores
more injured. The clashes have also left some 120 houses and
public facilities damaged by fire.

Reports say communal conflict has been occurring regularly
since 1985. It is often triggered by street brawls between
teenagers, sparking intervillage clashes and later escalating
into a full scale battle between natives of Tana Toraja and
migrants from Java.

It is believed that hundreds of people have died in years of
violence, not to mention the amount of buildings razed to the
ground.

The government split the former Luwu area into two regencies
last year in a last-ditch effort to quell the conflicts.

However, violence has continued to rock several districts,
including Masamba, Sabbang, Wotu, Baebunta, Walenrang, Bone-Bone,
Malangke and Burau in North Luwu regency; and Lamasi, Wara,
Ponrang, Buffon, Bajo and Suli in Luwu regency.

Luwu regent Kamrul Kasim said hundreds of families in Tolemo
village had fled their homes and sought refuge elsewhere due to
the violence.

"Tolemo and Serita villages have been involved in a war since
Jan. 2 and it's still going on," Kamrul said on Friday.

Rumors have circulated of further conflicts immediately after
Idul Fitri celebrations, with the warring parties preparing to
engage in brawls.

"Let's hope for the best and that such rumors stays as
hearsay. We do not want conflicts. Aren't we all tired of them?"
Karmul asked.

Conflicting groups are armed with homemade rifles, locally
called papporo.

Agus expressed his bewilderment that fighting residents used
homemade guns and used war-like strategies in their brawls.

"That's why we have no choice but to soon curb the conflicts
and disarm the warring camps," he said. (27/edt)