Yogyakarta tense after clashes

Yogyakarta tense after clashes

Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Tension engulfed the tourist city of Yogyakarta on Sunday as
hundreds of supporters of the United Development Party (PPP)
clashed here with groups of local people, leaving several people
seriously wounded and several vehicles burned or damaged.

Security authorities closed several main streets including Jl.
Malioboro and Jl. Solo to motorists following the violence that
also involved supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Security forces were on guard at the entrance of the two
important locations, which are the heart of the city's trading
center.

A number of businesses were shut down due to fear of being
targeted by attackers.

The clashes broke out in several parts of Yogyakarta, where
convoys of PPP supporters marched across the city in motorcades
after attending a party rally that marked its 28th anniversary in
the town's north square.

Witnesses said the violence began when the rally marchers were
banging their motorcycles and jeering at different groups of
passersby on the same streets.

Local residents including PDI Perjuangan supporters were angry
with what they considered to be the arrogant attitude of PPP
marchers.

Physical clashes were unavoidable in several locations such as
on Jl. Kusumanegara (Muja-Muju), Jl. Urip Sumoharjo (Jl. Solo),
Jl. Suprapto (Ngampilan) and Jl. Parangtritis (Prawirotaman).

Brawls also erupted on Jl. Mataram, Jl. H.O.S. Cokroaminoto
(Kuncen), Jl. Wahid Hasyim (Notoprajan), and Jl. Gandekan
(Sosrowijayan).

Many troops and police personnel stood guard across the city
to prevent further violence from breaking out as rivals were
rumored to launch retaliatory attacks.

Up until Sunday night, tight security was provided at the site
of the brawls.

Several cars and motorcycles were set ablaze or damaged during
the clashes that also seriously wounded several people.

Mujiono, a resident from Ngadiwinatan, was among those
severely injured in a clash on Jl. Solo. His motorcycle was
burned by rivals.

Another victim Aji Setiaji, a resident from Cokrokusuman
Jetis, is undergoing intensive treatment at the Bethesda General
Hospital in Yogyakarta for serious injuries.

It was not clear whether the injured people were members of
PPP or not.

The violence had been anticipated by security task forces
belonging to both PPP and PDI Perjuangan several days before
Sunday's anniversary rally was held.

There was no explanation why local leaders of the political
parties were powerless to control their respective supporters
during the rally.