Jepara riot an indication of people's dissatisfaction
Jepara riot an indication of people's dissatisfaction
JAKARTA (JP): The trail of destruction in Bangsri district,
Jepara, Central Java, by a crowd following the detention and
death of a resident, was an indication of people's vexation over
the "prejudiced" arrest, said Jepara regent, Soenarto.
Yesterday, Antara quoted the regent claiming the riot was
ignited by frustration at seeing "insiders" getting away with
large lumber thefts, while resident Partini, who stole two logs
of hardwood, was immediately incarcerated.
Eight monitoring and depot posts and one house, all belonging
to the state-owned forestry company PT Perhutani, were ransacked
and torched Friday following the burial of Partini, 45.
A kindergarten was also reportedly wrecked.
Partini, a resident of Kancilan village, was found Thursday
morning hanging in his jail cell. He had been arrested for
stealing two 1.5 meter-long hardwood logs.
After his burial, residents became incensed and went on a
rampage, destroying mainly PT Perhutani buildings in the
district.
Soenarto estimated the mob comprised 200 people. He said
material damages are in the hundreds of thousands of rupiah.
As reported by Antara, Soenarto said that the people demanded
to see everyone arrested, including "insiders", whom he claimed
were often involved in log thefts.
The regent did not elaborate on whom he meant.
"I really regret that the riot occurred. All this could
actually have been avoided and settled in an amicable way,"
Soenarto said.
Central Java police chief, Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman, said
Saturday that the police have sent a team to investigate the
incident.
Noegroho said the team would look for those responsible for
inciting the riot.
When asked about the cause of Partini's death, Noegroho said
no final prognosis has been established, adding that forensic
specialists and medical examiners were going through the autopsy
report.
He said the riot broke out because there was a breakdown in
the forum of deliberation and consultation between residents and
local government officials.
"The forum for deliberation doesn't function as a fire-
fighting unit, but more as an early warning mechanism which
allows problems to be tackled at the first sign of trouble," he
said. (mds)