Killings have no link to military reshuffle

SURABAYA (JP): Maj. Gen. Djoko Subroto, who has headed the Brawijaya Military Command for only six months, was replaced on Thursday by Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo described the hasty tour of duty as normal, and denied that Djoko's replacement was caused by his failure to handle mysterious massacres in which hundreds of people, mostly Muslim preachers, were killed late last year.

"This replacement has nothing to do with public pressure or demands. There are also replacements in other Regional Military Commands (Kodam)," the general said.

Subagyo ordered Ryamizard to hold intensive dialogs with clerics and other leaders to understand public aspirations.

"Through constructive dialog we will be able to develop political communication among the nation's elements," the general said.

A fact-finding team established by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has announced that at least 253 victims were murdered since August, for allegedly practicing witchcraft. Most of them were NU preachers in Banyuwangi. The murders were followed by mob slayings, in which scores were killed for suspected involvement in the murders.

Banyuwangi District Court is currently holding the trials of 34 people charged with the killings. NU also demanded the sacking of Banyuwangi Regent Purnomo Sidik for his alleged reluctance to investigate the case.

"No one is above the law, but there are legal procedures which should be followed," Subagyo said in response to the demands.

The killings had also spread to other cities in Central Java and West Java.

Djoko replaced Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman in July last year. Djadja is currently Jakarta Military Commander.

Ryamizard, a two star general, is married to former vice president Gen. (ret) Try Sutrisno's eldest child, Trystiana.

His last position was deputy chief of Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad). (nur/prb)