Tasikmalaya still tense following communal riot

Tasikmalaya still tense following communal riot

TASIKMALAYA, West Java (JP): The situation in the village of
Cipatujah, Tasikmalaya regency in West Java was still tense after
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 for fear
of further attack.

Some are believed to have hidden in the forest, while others
may be staying at nearby homes of relatives.

Armed police personnel were on the alert in the village to
prevent any possible rioting from happening.

West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Sudirman Ail said on
Wednesday that it was not a religious clash. "The motive for the
attack was due to business competition," Ail said.

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

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

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

Police said that soon after an argument erupted between Emed
and the youths, rumors emerged about a Christian family who had
made their dog wear a collar bearing Arabic words.

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

Other villagers said that within an hour prior to the attack,
many houses lived in by Muslims bore a sticker on their front
walls bearing an Arabic word that read "Muslim".

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

Deputy spokesman of 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 the local administration were
still estimating the damage and material loss inflicted in the
incident," he told The Jakarta Post.

"We are also trying to convince the villagers that it was not
a religious conflict. It was just the actions of irresponsible
people who use sensitive issues such as religion to ignite hatred
among the people," he said.

The head of the religious affairs office in Tasikmalaya,
Achmad Syafe'i, said he was surprised at the incident. "Up until
now, Christians and Muslims had been living together here
harmoniously." (25/emf/sur)