Killings may involve security

BANDUNG: West Java Police chief Maj. Gen. Chaerudin Ismail alleged on Wednesday the recent killings of at least 18 people in Ciamis regency might have involved members of the security forces, given the fear of locals to cooperate in the investigation.

"We have encountered some difficulties in the field to thoroughly investigate the case. Locals, including members of victims' families, refused to testify," he said.

However, he was optimistic his team could crack the case.

Without providing details, Chaerudin said police had found four more bodies, bringing to ten the total number of bodies found so far.

Up to 42 people had been detained for questioning, he said.

They are being held at the Ciamis Police station, some 130 kilometers southeast of here.

Chaerudin did not say whether members of the security forces were among the detainees.

Earlier, the police said the victims, allegedly killed by paid assassins, were those suspected to have dabbled in witchcraft.

In 1997, over 200 Muslim clerics in Banyuwangi and other East Java towns were killed on similar grounds. The killings remain unsolved.

Police said it was premature to link the killings in East Java with the ones here, or to speculate about political motives behind them. (43/aan)