Six found dead in Ciamis killing spree

BANDUNG (JP): At least six people have been found dead in what is believed to be part of a larger killing spree in Ciamis regency, West Java, police here said on Monday.

The bodies, bearing various types of injuries, were found floating in the Ciwayang River in Pangandaran district of the regency, about 130 kilometers southeast of here.

The dead were identified as Jumain, 70, an ex-serviceman, his 45-year-old wife Eneg and 80-year Icih, all three from Purnasari village of Ciamis' Parigi district. The other three were Satia bin Usdi, 48, Rusdi, 45, both male, and a woman, Saftiah, of Bunisari village of Parigi district.

Col. Bahrumsyah, chief of the Priangan Police overseeing the region, said 12 other people were missing and were also believed to have been murdered. He said an intensive investigation was underway.

Thirty-four suspects have been detained, he said.

He said it was possible the killings were similar to those which occurred in the East Java town of Banyuwangi last year, when over 200 people, mostly Muslim clerics, were mysteriously killed.

"There are various possibilities. But now it's too early to pin it to any political motive," Bahrumsyah told a news conference.

He said a suspect, identified as Sentot, 30, admitted to having been paid from Rp 50,000 to Rp 500,000 (US$5.80 to $58) to kill target people.

Of the people detained, Bahrumsyah said, four were believed to be the "provocateurs". He said villagers also told of being terrorized by Sentot's group.

Quoting suspects, Bahrumsyah said the victims were killed on the grounds they were hated by their fellow villagers.

Miftanul said the police were informed that a number of people were missing recently before their bodies were found. (43/aan)