Mob vandalizes shaman's home

Mob vandalizes shaman's home

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of villagers in the Srono subdistrict
of East Java's Banyuwangi regency vandalized and looted the house
of an alleged practitioner of black magic in Kepundungan village,
police said on Saturday.

Antara reported that the alleged magician, a 45-year-old
shopkeeper identified as Karno, and his family were unharmed in
the attack on Friday. Banyuwangi Police chief Lt. Col. Iman
Soejarwo confirmed the incident.

The violence was preceded by rumors that Karno's neighbor,
Musimah, 40, gave birth to a pile of white cloth containing hair,
hay and needles. Villagers alleged Karno was responsible for the
rumored birth.

However, Karno said the villagers envied the success of his
store. He said his properties were looted, including Rp 1.8
million (US$204) in cash.

The attack occurred just hours after Regent T. Purnomo Sidik
told 101 local ulema he intended to resign amid public pressure
over his alleged involvement in the killings of Muslim clerics in
East Java last year.

From early last year to November this year, over 200 Muslim
clerics were killed by men clad in black ninja-style outfits.

Killing spree

Purnomo was linked to the killing spree following reports he
circulated a list of 500 "black magic practitioners" who "needed
protection from lynch mobs". However many clerics were killed,
followed by mob killings of suspected 'ninjas.' Investigation
into the murders is yet to progress while activists say police
have not managed to arrest those responsible for the crimes.

Allegations of a high-level political conspiracy aimed at
destroying the grassroots support of Abdurrahman Wahid's National
Awakening Party (PKB) circulated following the still unsolved
killings.

Banyuwangi, with a population of some 400,000 residents, is a
base of the Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Muslim organization led
by Abdurrahman. The regency is situated 289 kilometers east of
East Java's capital of Surabaya. Purnomo announced his
resignation at Surabaya Police Headquarters.

"I have decided to resign based on security reasons and the
safety of the people of Banyuwangi, especially ahead of the June
7 general election," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

"I told (the ulema that) I needed until May 10 to complete
some unfinished work," he said, adding he still did not know if
political elites were involved in last year's killing spree.

Last month Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid said the
tenure of all governors, regents and mayors which concluded
around the time of elections would be extended to July. (aan)