Hindu and Christian leaders solve Katung case peacefully

Hindu and Christian leaders solve Katung case peacefully

Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

Representatives of both Christian and
Hindu communities in Katung, Kintamani, some 45 kilometers
northwest of here, held a reconciliation meeting here on Monday
aimed to reaching a settlement after the recent torching of
houses belonging to Christian residents in the village.

The meeting, which was organized by Bangli Police precinct
chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Heru Teguh Prayitno, ended with both sides
agreeing to resolve any differences they might have through
peaceful methods, instead of resorting to violence.

"The meeting took place at the Bangli police post. I must say,
we are very happy with the results of the meeting," Adj. Sr.
Comr. Yatim Suyatmo, spokesman for the Bali Provincial Police,
said here on Monday.

Yatim said both parties had also agreed to try to find out the
root of the problem, which has strained the normally good ties
between the Christian and Hindu communities in the village.

Both sides also promised that should another problem arise in
the future, they would try their best to address it in accordance
with the law.

"They also agreed to rebuild the damaged houses together,"
Suyatmo said.

He emphasized, however, that the successful outcome would not
in any way affect the police's commitment to investigating the
incident thoroughly.

"We will continue our investigation to find out who was
responsible for the attack. The local police have already
questioned six people who, we assume, probably had some role in
or were connected with the attack," Suyatmo added.

The attack, which took place an hour before midnight last
Wednesday, forced 21 Balinese Christians to flee their village
after a mob stormed into their homes. Some ten buildings, two
cars and a motorbike were torched and two other buildings were
badly damaged in the attack. No fatalities were
reported, although one Balinese Christian, I Ketut Kirim, was
severely injured in the incident.

One of the Christian representatives who attended the meeting,
I Nyoman Parwita, described the atmosphere as both open and
friendly.

"Since the Bangli Police chief has already given us his
guarantee over the security situation in Katung, and the leaders
of the village's customary council have also expressed their
commitment to protecting the Balinese Christians, then, as of
tomorrow, we will begin the process of returning to the village,"
Parwita said.

The Christians were currently being sheltered in a church in
Bangli.

Separately, the local chapter of The Indonesian Christian
Student Movement (GMKI) in a statement issued last Saturday,
expressed its regret over the incident and lambasted the
government for its belated response. It also demanded that the
state's security apparatus provide protection to all the people
of Katung, regardless of their beliefs.