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Wed, 12 Jul 2000

JP/Security officers still on alert in tense but under control Tegal

Security officers still on alert in tense but under control Tegal

TEGAL, Central Java (JP): The situation in Hardjo Sari village, Tegal regency, Central Java, was under control on Tuesday as a large number of security officers remained on alert.

Most of the security officers were seen in the Dukuh Randu area where 368 houses were destroyed during Monday's fray between the Karangmalang and Dukuh Randu residents.

Hundreds of police officers were also fielded in the Karangmalang village, to protect the area from possible attack by "the enemy."

Surodadi Police chief Second Insp. Sugeng told The Jakarta Post at the accident site that four platoons of police officers had been deployed to handle the situation. "The border of Hardjo Sari and Karangmalang village gets extra security. Rumors have it that the residents from the two villages will again attack each other. We will be on 24-hour alert."

Deputy chief of Tegal Police, Asst. Supt. Komaruzzamman, said that it was the Karangmalang villagers who set the houses in Hardjo Sari ablaze after a Karangmalang resident, Bugel, was reportedly killed by Dukuh Randu people.

"The killing of Bugel took place during a wayang golek show on Sunday night," Komaruzzamman said, adding that Bugel was allegedly killed by a group of Dukuh Randu youths.

One man has been arrested, while six others are still wanted over Bugel's death.

"As many as 368 houses in Dukuh Randu were ruined, most of them were burned down," he said, describing the act of revenge. "A total of 212 families living in Dukuh Randu have all been moved to safer places."

The families are now held at the Hardjo Sari village hall and the elementary school building.

According to Komaruzzamman the ruckus caused an estimated Rp 1.1 billion in losses.

Aid for the refugees has been flooding in. Tegal Regent Sudiarto has donated seven tons of rice and Rp 1 million in cash, while a local shadow play puppeteer, Entus Susmono, also handed over Rp 1 million in cash, 15 boxes of instant noodles and 50 kilograms of sugar for the refugees. (45/sur)