Ngawi returns to normal, Yuwono yet to be found

Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Ngawi

The situation is gradually returning to normal in the East Java town of Ngawi following heightened tension between militant Islamic group Laskar Jihad and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) over the weekend.

There were no more crowds to be found at Laskar Jihad Ahlussunnah wal Jammah's office and the residence of Yuwono Susatyo, chairman of the local branch of PDI Perjuangan, who was abducted by unidentified gunmen last Friday.

Hundreds of security personnel, however, remained on guard in strategic positions across the city and border areas between Central Java and East Java.

Some 80 members of Laskar Jihad have been detained in Surabaya, in connection with the ransacking of Yuwono's residence and the seizure of homemade bombs and machetes from Laskar Jihad's office.

Many local people suspect Laskar Jihad to be behind Yuwono's kidnapping, a suspicion it has denied.

Local police said they have witnesses who saw several members of Laskar Jihad abduct Yuwono.

Sutrisno, deputy chairman of the local chapter of PDI Perjuangan, said his supporters have entrusted the police to investigate the case thoroughly.

"We have called on party supporters to exercise patience and restraint until the police have completed their investigation into the case," he said.

He added that a number of security guards of PDI Perjuangan have threatened to ransack the local office of Laskar Jihad in retaliation to last Friday's incident.

"We don't want to worsen the situation and will continue to foster closer contact with Muhyi Effendy, who is a member of the Ngawi legislative council," he said.

Many regret Muhyi's absence and inability to prevent Laskar Jihad from allegedly ransacking Yuwono's residence, as Laskar Jihad rent part of his house as its city office.