Tasik Malaya still tense after riot

Tasik Malaya still tense after riot

TASIK MALAYA, West Java (JP): The situation in the village of
Cipatujah in Tasikmalaya town in West Java was still tense after
a communal rioting in which 23 houses and two churches were
destroyed and set ablaze on Monday. No fatalities were reported.

At least 118 people have yet to return to their homes in fear
of further attack, which was triggered by religious issue.

Some are believed to hid in the forest and some others may be
at their relatives' homes in the neighboring village.

Armed police personnel were on alert in the village to prevent
possible fresh riot from happening.

West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Sudirman Ail said on
Wednesday that it was not an inter-religion clash. "The motive
for the attack was business competition," Ail said.

Things began when the head of the Cikawunggading village Emed,
50, was found stealing logs from nearby forest by local youths on
Sept. 16.

The youths, mostly Christians, criticized Emed, who issued
circular prohibiting anyone from logging on Sept. 12.

The head of general affairs office at the village, Supriatna
confirmed about the illegal logging by Emed, saying that Emed had
received order from a Singaporean businessman.

Police said that soon after the argument between Emed and the
youths, rumors on a Christian family who had their dog wear
collar bearing an Arabic word spread.

"This has provoked local Muslims' anger. And without clear
command a large group of villagers, assisted by some 200 people
from neighboring villages marched to the residential areas.
Yelling antiChristian slogans, they ransacked the Christians'
houses, including a sawmill belonging to a Christian resident,
and set them ablaze," a local said. "Two churches, a truck and
five stalls were also destroyed."

Other villagers said that less than hours before the attack,
many Muslims' houses had sticker bearing an Arabic word reads
Muslim on their front walls.

Chief of Tasik Malaya Police Subprecinct Adj. Sr. Comr.
Irsanwijaya said on Wednesday said that 29 people, including
Emed, were detained for questioning.

Deputy spokesman to the National Police Brig. Gen. Edward
Aritonang said in Jakarta on Tuesday that those 29 people were
suspected perpetrators of the attack. "More people will be named
suspects."

"In the meantime, police and local administration are still
estimating the damages and the material losses inflicted in the
incident," he told The Jakarta Post.

"We are also trying to convince the villagers that what has
happened is not an interreligion. It's just the work of
irresponsible people who use sensitive issues like religion to
ignite hatred among the people," he said.

The head of Religious Affairs office in Tasik Malaya, Achmad
Syafe'i said he was surprised with the incident. "The Christians
and Muslims here had been living harmoniously." (25/emf/sur)