Killings may involve security

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)