Luwu riots leave police bewildered

Luwu riots leave police bewildered

MALANGKE, Central Sulawesi (JP): Police said on Saturday they
found it difficult to arrest perpetrators of unrest in Luwu,
while the burning of residents houses in two districts continued.

Luwu Regency Police chief Supt. Anjaya told The Jakarta Post
here that the rioters launched a guerrilla-like attack on eight
villages in Malangke and Baebuntah districts.

Malangke is 450 kilometers north of the South Sulawesi capital
of Makassar.

"The attackers were armed with homemade weapons, including
pistols and cannons. They attacked from various directions and
move like well-trained troops," Anjaya said, confirming that at
least 210 houses had been burned down.

He said he was sure the attackers, who were garbed in black,
were residents of the neighboring villages of Tenda Biru and
Layar Putih.

The terrain of the area, which has rivers and swampy land,
made it difficult for police officers to chase the rioters, he
added.

Unconfirmed reports said the villagers wanted to take revenge
for relatives who were killed by the residents of the two
districts during earlier unrest.

Almost 100 security personnel, consisting mostly of police
troops and Army members from the Sawunggaling Military District
Command, have been deployed to stop the attacks, Manggabarani
said.

He said the officers would shoot on sight anyone found
instigating riots.

15 years ago

Locals say sectarian clashes in Luwu regency first erupted in
1985.

Since then subsequent clashes have taken place almost every
year, until January this year when then Wirabuana Military
commander Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusuma took appropriate and
impartial steps to deal with the violence.

During prolonged violence from January 1998 to January 2000,
at least 28 people were killed and 350 houses and public
facilities destroyed by fire.

Agus had all residents in Luwu disarmed before holding
discussions with the opposing groups. Those found guilty of
participating in clashes were arrested and brought to court.
The violence eventually stopped.

However, fresh violence erupted on Aug. 18, months after Agus
was transferred away from Sulawesi.

A fight between groups of teenagers at a wedding reception led
to fierce brawls among villagers. No fatalities have been
reported.

Local authorities apparently tried to tone down reports of the
conflicts between Muslims and Christians in Luwu.

South Sulawesi Police deputy chief Sr. Supt. Jusuf
Manggabarani said three days ago that everything was under
control and that the violence was not linked to religion.

On Friday and Saturday, the Post observed hundreds of houses
in Caning village in Malangke district were still burning.

Riots have also affected neighboring villages, forcing
thousands of people to seek refuge in the town of Amasangeng, the
capital of West Malangke district. (27/sur)