Police still on high alert despite progress in Larantuka
Police still on high alert despite progress in Larantuka
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara
The security condition returned to normal in Larantuka, East
Flores on Sunday, a day after thousands of angry residents burned
down a district courthouse in response to the jailing of a local
priest.
Nevertheless, police were still on high alert, beefing up
security at several public facilities and residences of local
officials.
Police said Sunday that they were yet to find and arrest those
behind Saturday's violence, which saw the Larantuka District
Court building and several others belonging to the Larantuka
Prosecutor's Office razed by fire.
"The arson attack was a crime and we (police) have been
ordered (by our superior) to hold a thorough investigation into
the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice," East Flores
Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Darto Juhartono said.
"Saturday's violence shouldn't have happened if people
understand that Father Amanuen still has a chance to file an
appeal. The legal process against him is not yet final."
Thousands of angry residents rampaged shortly after a judge
declared Father Frans Amanuen guilty of defamation and sentenced
him to a suspended jail sentence.
The case was filed by East Flores regent Felix Fernandez who
sued after the priest accused him of marking up the price of a
multipurpose boat worth Rp 3 billion (US$353,000).
The court sentenced the outspoken priest on Saturday to two
months in jail, suspended for five months.
Amanuen has appealed the verdict.
Local police have approached local religious leaders and
called on them to calm their followers and prevent them from
committing anarchy.
Hundreds of police were deployed to guard Fernandez's official
residence on Sunday, as well as the official residences of the
heads of the Larantuka District Court and prosecutor's office.
Governor Piet A. Tallo urged local people to not get emotional
in responding to the situation, saying that brutality would only
create more problems.
"I urge local people to be cool headed in responding to the
dispute between Father Amanuen and regent Fernandez, because
brutality and anarchy will never solve problems," he said Sunday.