Tension grips Palangkaraya

PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Brandishing sharp weapons, dozens of native Dayak tribesmen in the Tangkiling subdistrict here took to the Trans-Kalimantan highway on Monday following rumors of an impending attack by migrants.

There was no violence as negotiators from the National Police's Mobile Brigade persuaded the Dayaks to quit the highway and come to the nearby Mobile Brigade office for discussions.

The head of the local police station, Supt. Dwi Prayitno, told Antara the police were searching for the person believed to be responsible for the incident. This alleged provocateur is believed to be hiding in a transmigration settlement camp near the subdistrict.

He said the suspect had spread rumors that a group of migrants were on their way to Tangkiling to take revenge for arson attacks on five buildings in the resettlement area.

Ariya dismissed the report, saying the buildings were just empty huts. "The owners had abandoned the huts some days before (they were burned down)." (amd)