Security beefed up after riot in Atambua

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Atambua

Tension remained high in Atambua, Belu, on Thursday following a religion-inspired riot a day earlier in the city, which left several police vehicles and buildings severely damaged.

Residents chose to stay indoors and shops remained closed on Thursday as hundreds of soldiers were deployed in the city's streets to ensure security.

The soldiers would remain until the situation in the area returned to normal, Wirasakti military chief Col. Moeswarno Moesanip said.

"The military replaced the police after requests from local religious and community figures. The police have been asked to stay in their barracks until the situation returns to normal," Moeswarno said on Wednesday night.

The soldiers came from the Belu district command and from a military task force overseeing security at the border between Indonesia and East Timor.

Later on Thursday, the chief of East Nusa Tenggara provincial police, Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang, said he would soon deploy some 200 Police Mobile Brigade troops to help the military safeguard the city.

Wednesday's riot began when a 27-year-old Protestant man from South Central Timor allegedly crushed a communion wafer during a mass.

Police rescued the man, identified as Yakob Taneo, while he was being assaulted at the Immaculate Cathedral and detained him for questioning.

Angry Catholics demanded the police hand over Yakob to them, which the police refused. They later rioted outside the police headquarters upon learning of the decision.

Belu Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ekotrio Budhiniar said angry residents had attacked and vandalized three police posts in the city and several police cars and motorcycles during the incident.

"Only few police personnel and some local residents were slightly injured in the riot," said Budhiniar.

Edward said Yakob had been questioned by police and named a suspect for showing contempt to a religion.

Meanwhile, Atambua Bishop Anton Pain Ratu called on Catholics to restrain themselves and not be easily provoked after the incident. He urged police to thoroughly investigate Yakob.

Yakob said he did not deliberately intend to insult the mass.

"I took the wafer but I did not eat it and I only kept it in my hand. I went to the church with my girlfriend because I planned to convert to Catholicism," Yakob said.

Conflicts between Catholics and Protestants have occurred before in the predominantly Catholic East Nusa Tenggara.