Palangkaraya back to normal after violent incidents
PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan (JP): The Central Kalimantan capital of Palangkaraya returned to normal on Sunday but tension was still in the air following a series of violent incidents on Thursday and clashes between indigenous Dayaks and police on Friday.
Army troops, rifles in hand, were standing by in strategic parts of the city and public places, while police Mobile Brigade troopers guarded the Bunderan Besar area where Friday's violence took place.
The Army was actively involved in securing the city after the Central Kalimantan Police chief, Brig. Gen. Bambang Pranoto, officially requested military help in restoring order.
Some shops and markets were open and traffic was heavier than in previous days, but people said that the security outlook was still uncertain.
Locals said that calm in the morning could easily turn into chaos in the evening.
Central Kalimantan Governor Asmawi Agani said to The Jakarta Post by phone on Sunday that he hoped that schools and commercial activities would be back to normal on Monday.
On Friday, Dayak demonstrators ran amok in the Bunderan Besar area in Palangkaraya in protest at the shooting of demonstrators on Thursday.
The protesters attacked several police stations and set a police truck ablaze, while hundreds of students also marched to the provincial legislature to protest the security forces' actions on the previous day.
Shortly after President Abdurrahman visited the riot-torn city on Thursday, Dayak residents took the streets demanding a resolution to the Sampit conflict, which has left at least 400 people dead. Most of the victims were Madurese migrants. The police opened fire to disperse the demonstrators and six people were reportedly killed. However, the police have so far only confirmed the death of Hendrison, 29, in the melee.
Central Kalimantan Police spokesman Second Adj. Insp. Andi Selvi told the Post on Sunday that the joint security measures introduced by the Police and the Army had proved to be successful.
Rumors have it that locals plan to stage an even bigger demonstration (than Friday's) on Monday.
"That could be just rumors," Andi said. "The most important thing is that the Police and the Army are ready to face any eventualities. But we hope that the worst doesn't come to the worst. Peace is much better for the people."
The provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Pranoto has issued a shoot-on-sight order against all rioters in a bid to restore law and order.
Governor Asmawi said he welcomed the decision. "I fully support it, but both the police and military must be wise in implementing the order so as not to enrage the people."
The governor also added that all cases related to the previous riots would be processed to the full extent of the law and "that means there will be no release of the 84 riot suspects."
"Sometimes we have to play by the book and sometimes we have to be flexible. This time we want security restored quickly and economic recovery," he added. (32/edt/sur)