Thu, 20 Sep 2001

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)