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)