Ngawi returns to normal, Yuwono yet to be found

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.