Fresh riots hit W. Java subdistrict
BANDUNG (JP): A riot triggered by price hikes hit the West Java subdistrict of Kadipaten in Majalengka regency, 10 kilometers east of here, as other towns remained tense yesterday.
Dozens of people began to take to Jl. Siliwangi and Jl. Baros at midday, attacking shops and setting them ablaze. At least 15 shops were damaged, six of them -- plus several motorcycles -- were set on fire.
Security authorities quickly restored order and arrested two men suspected of sparking the unrest. There was no report of injuries during the 40-minute police clampdown.
In Cirebon, minor rioting erupted in Karangsembung village just hours before Governor R. Nuriana toured the town to inspect the village after rioting Friday. The latest outbreak left two houses burned.
Nuriana visited people in Cirebon's riot-hit areas of Lemah Abang, Pasar Gebang, Losari and Cileduk who were clearing remnants of buildings attacked by angry rioters in the past few days.
The coastal town had yet to return to normal yesterday, with many shops staying closed and major bus terminals witnessing a sharp decline of passengers leaving the town. Instead, people seemingly preferred to travel by train as evidenced by increased numbers of travelers at the railway station.
Violence also spilled over into Purwokerto in Central Java yesterday when a number of people stoned buses heading for the coastal areas of Banyumas, Pemalang, Brebes and Cilacap, all in Central Java.
Antara reported that the attack caused bus and other public transportation drivers in Purwokerto to stop their activities, fearing that riots would resume. Hundreds of residents were left stranded for hours due to the absence of transportation.
Tension also reigned in the Central Java town of Purbalingga as hundreds of people pelted shops selling basic commodities for refusing to open. But the military and police managed to immediately quell any potential rioting. They made no arrests, and only ordered the angry people to return home.
Bandung was calmer yesterday, despite rumors that strikes and riots were about to erupt. The rumors affected public transportation as groups of people had to wait for hours for public minibuses.
More troops were seen patrolling the town despite heavy rain throughout the day.
Governor Nuriana called on entrepreneurs and public transportation drivers to resume their business activities as usual to prevent public anxiety from worsening.
"Most riots were triggered by a lack of public transportation. With such a condition, people tend to gather. And once this happens, they can be easily driven to rioting," Nuriana said.
Earlier, Central Java Governor Soewardi accused a certain group based in Jakarta for organizing the riots that had rocked the province and other towns across Java.
"We found that some people we arrested for allegedly inciting riots came from Jakarta. They arrived here along with the exodus of Idul Fitri revelers," Suwardi said over the weekend. (43/har/amd)