Palangkaraya back to normal after violent incidents

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)