Rights activism blamed for riots

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo blamed yesterday recent riots on many problems, including human rights issues.

At a ceremony installing Maj. Gen. Chaerudin Ismail as chief of West Java Police in Bandung, West Java, Dibyo said the riots were launched under the pretext of human rights struggles and linked with either ethnic or religious issues.

"Be vigilant over any potential cause of mass violence in society," Dibyo was quoted by Antara as saying in his speech. He did not elaborate.

Indonesia has seen a series of riots in the past 12 months, dating back to the July 27 incident last year which left five people dead and 23 missing.

A riot occurred at the West Java coastal area of Pelabuhan Ratu last Monday when a group of frustrated people ransacked a local police station over the release of suspected killer of a teacher. At least 40 people were questioned about the incident.

Dibyo said West Java was among provinces vulnerable to mass violence due to its socioeconomic problems. Riots in the small towns of Tasikmalaya and Rengasdengklok, respectively last December and January, were well remembered as violence triggered by ethnic and religious issues.

"The province needs serious treatment due to its potential for massive security and order disturbances, especially since it receives a crime spill-over from Jakarta," Dibyo said.

Chaerudin, a former assistant to Dibyo in charge of criminal affairs, replaced Maj. Gen. Nana Permana who has been named the National Police's inspector general.

Governor R. Nuriana was among attendants of the ceremony yesterday. (amd)