Murders may be organized: Kontras

JAKARTA (JP): Rights activists have said that the grisly murder spree that took place in East Java over the past two months has now claimed 157 victims and appears to have been perpetrated by an organized force.

Munir from the independent Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) told a media conference that at least 157 people have been killed in the attacks in the East Java regencies of Banyuwangi, Jember, Pasuruan, Situbondo, Lumajang and Madura.

At least 110 have been murdered in Banyuwangi alone, Munir said.

"(The victims were) not only those accused of practicing black magic, but also Moslem preachers and public figures," Munir said.

He told The Jakarta Post that more than half of the victims were Moslem preachers.

National Police Spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar Sianipar, however, told a media conference on Friday that only one Moslem preacher was among the 95 deaths so far recorded by police.

"Investigations have shown that there were patterns to the slaughter ... either through planned operations or spontaneous acts," Munir said, adding that local people in the region had for years nursed a simmering hatred of those whom they suspected of dabbling in black magic.

Munir noted that the murder spree had intensified since the Banyuwangi administration, under the pretext of providing protection, issued a letter on Sept. 18 instructing village chiefs in the area to establish a list of the alleged practitioners of black magic.

The National Police said on Thursday that 337 people were on the list of people accused of practicing witchcraft.

Munir said that copies of the list were circulated among the public and alleged that this information had provoked residents into launching further attacks.

"The list (of those alleged to practice black magic) was not held under any security and that was questionable," Munir said.

He said a number of people named on the list were subsequently attacked by mysterious club and knife-wielding killers wearing ninja-like black clothing and masks.

"The killings have been taking place at night," he said, adding that in some cases the attacks were preceded by power cuts.

Munir said the killers had been seen driving vehicles bearing license plates from other regions and appear to have been well- trained because they have been able to "paralyze" their victims and locals who were trying to prevent the killings.

"They even have complete maps of the area so they know how to escape if they are chased by local residents," Munir added.

He claimed that none of the ninja-like killers had been arrested by the police.

As of Friday, Togar said that 92 people had been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killings.

He said 21 had been formally charged and a further 71 people were still being questioned.

He also admitted that the killings had spread to Jember, Probolinggo, Lumajang and Bondowoso.

He acknowledged that killings had also taken place in Madura, but believed they could not be connected with those in Banyuwangi and its surrounding areas.

In Banyuwangi on Friday, Dori, 42, was found dead in his house in Kembiritan village. He allegedly committed suicide. Neighbors said that prior to his death he had been worried that he could be the next victim of the attacks.

Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Thursday that a team from ABRI's headquarters had been dispatched to Banyuwangi to investigate the killings.

He told reporters after meeting President B.J. Habibie at the Merdeka Palace that the team was expected to identify whether the killings were purely criminal in nature or were politically motivated.

Wiranto admitted the attacks, that originally targeted people accused of dabbling in witchcraft and then spread to Islamic preachers, started in June but recently increased in frequency.

"It seems that the attacks are not only limited to the alleged practitioners of black magic, but have been targeting other people who are apparently not (shamans)," Wiranto said.

On Thursday, Togar Sianipar confirmed the alleged involvement of four members of the Armed Forces in the killings. (byg/nur/emf)