Situation in Bagansiapiapi returns gradually to normal

Situation in Bagansiapiapi returns gradually to normal

M. Ara Syaf, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru

Following bloody rioting in Bagansiapiapi, Rokanhilir Regency,
Riau, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the situation in the fishing town
has gradually returned to normal, according to the local police.

Adj. Sr. Comr. S. Pandiangan, spokesman for the Riau
Provincial Police, said the two-day riot ended after hundreds of
troops had been deployed to restore security and order and all
police personnel had been withdrawn from the small town.

He said that Brig. Gen. Jonny Yodjana, chief of the provincial
police, Col. Darmawi Chaidir, chief of the Riau Military
District, Adj. Sr. Comr. Imron Korry, chief of the Bengkalis
Police Precinct, and Rokanhilir Regent Wan Thamrin were in the
town to hold peace talks with the two conflicting ethnic groups
and local figures.

Tension in the town increased on Tuesday and Wednesday when
one of the two conflicting groups was involved in clashes with
local police that claimed two lives.

The ethnic conflict, which involved the burning of 16 houses
on Oct. 11, was triggered by a clash between two drunken youths
from two different ethnic groups two days beforehand.

Rachmat K., a resident of Bagansiapiapi, confirmed that the
town had returned to normal, as most people had resumed their
daily activities and many shops were open again.

"The situation has gradually returned to normal, as most
residents have resumed their daily activities," he said.

Jonny made an apology for the Oct. 16 bloody incident, which
left two civilians dead, and pledged to punish police personnel
who had allegedly been involved in the killing.

"On behalf of the police in the province, the provincial
police chief makes an apology for the incident, and those
involved in the killing will be prosecuted in a tribunal,"
Pandiangan told a media conference here on Thursday.

"The killing of two civilians was the result of police
procedures being violated and the four police officers who opened
fire against the two victims are being thoroughly interrogated by
the military police," he said.

Around 300 people, mostly Chinese descendants, took refuge in
remote, safe areas in the province and were housed in makeshift
shelters guarded by soldiers.