Kupang back to normal

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Shops along Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Siliwangi in Kupang reopened for business on Tuesday, nine days after the town was rocked by sectarian riots, Antara reported.

Local people blocked the two streets to prevent rioting and looting by a mob made up of people who came mostly from outside the town.

Soldiers were seen standing by in the area.

Nurdin Ambo, a garment trader, said shops had reopened in anticipation of an increase in demand ahead of the start of Ramadhan and Christmas.

The Nov. 30 riot developed out of a protest by several youth organizations against the burning of churches in Jakarta a week earlier. Dozens of buildings, including mosques, were vandalized and burned during the riots. (01)