Two killed as violence flares in C. Kalimantan
JAKARTA (JP): While the ethnic-related tension in Pontianak, West Kalimantan has gradually ceased, fresh conflict flared up in the West Kotawaringin district of Kumai in Central Kalimantan late on Saturday, leaving at least two people dead.
Spokesman for the Central Kalimantan Police Comr. Anjan Putera confirmed the violence which involved Dayak natives and Madurese migrants, but said no detailed reports had been sent by police in West Kotawaringin.
"The incidents took place but we have not yet received official reports from local police," Anjan said as quoted by Antara on Sunday.
West Kotawaringin is located some 450 kilometers from Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan province.
An official at Kumai health clinic confirmed the deaths. "Reports that reach us stated that seven people were killed but we only received two bodies here."
One of the deceased was identified as Tahlin, 53, a resident of Kumai Hilir, while the other remained unidentified.
The two were found with severe slash wounds to their necks.
Meanwhile in Pontianak, the evacuation of Madurese refugees from their current shelters in the town was conducted quietly on the eve of the July 1 deadline for the migrants to leave the town.
The evacuation of some 117 families to a new location in Tebang Kacang began late Saturday. They were transported in three trucks under tight security.
Local Dayaks have warned of further bloodshed in Pontianak if the refugees refused to leave the equatorial town by July 1 at the latest. The refugees fled Sambas two years ago, as ethnic riots claimed hundreds of lives.
West Kalimantan Governor Aspar Aswin confirmed the evacuation but failed to reveal the exact number of Madurese migrants relocated from their current shelters.
Aspar said the evacuation was conducted secretly for the sake of the Madurese's safety as they were divided over the relocation plan.
"They left (for the new resettlement) of their own volition and for their own safety," Aspar told reporters after attending a ceremony to mark the 55th anniversary of the National Police.
Meanwhile chairman of the Madurese Community Association in West Kalimantan (IKBMKB) Sulaiman told reporters that some 20 families would also be transferred to Sungai Asam later on Sunday.
Prior to the Saturday transfer of refugees, a meeting was held between provincial officials in charge of the relocation, representatives of Dayak, Madurese and Malay people and the West Kalimantan Police Brig. Gen. Nurudin Usman at the local office of the National Commission on Human Rights.
Around 68,000 Madurese refugees who had fled Sambas are currently sheltering in five locations in Pontianak.
Separately in Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi, one battalion of army reinforcement troops was dispatched to riot-torn Poso in the neighboring Central Sulawesi province.
The chief of Wirabuana Military Command Maj. Gen. Ahmad Yahya said the battalion, numbering some 700 personnel, would be posted in Poso and the border between Central and South Sulawesi to prevent violence from spreading to the south.
Reinforcements were sent as fresh sporadic violence in Poso continued. At least three people were killed last week.
"If it (the violence) escalates, we will send more troops," Ahmad said.
Poso was rocked by clashes between Muslims and Christians last year, killing over 200 people.
Police have named three more suspects in the violence, who are facing charges of masterminding the riot.
"Earlier they were questioned as witnesses," Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak said, declining to identify the new suspects.
The Palu district court sentenced Fabianus Tibo, Marinus Riwu, and Dominggus da Silva to death in April for their role in the conflict. They have appealed to the Supreme Court after the provincial high court upheld the lower court's verdict. (emf/27)