Selasa, 20 Juli 2010

Two killed, dozens injured in clashes in Indonesia

JAKARTA-Two people were killed and dozens injured in clashes in Jakarta on Wednesday between security forces and people protesting at the bulldozing of a cemetery containing the remains of a Muslim scholar.
Police fired tear gas, pepper bullets and water cannon to disperse dozens of men armed with machetes and sticks who had massed in the clashes that lasted all day, witnesses said.
It left the area near Jakarta's international port looking like a war zone, with blood-stained streets and burning police vehicles sending black smoke into the sky.
"Two people died and more than 50 were injured... the number may rise," national police spokesman Zainuri Lubis told reporters.
City spokesman Cucu Ahmad Kurnia earlier gave a higher injured toll.
"Seven people have been critically injured... one (security officer) had his hand cut off and another had his stomach ripped out with a machete," Kurnia told AFP.
"Another 83 people had serious and light injuries, mostly head injuries from being pelted with rocks," he added.
Most of the injured were members of the security forces, he added.
An AFP photographer saw members of the public order force -- which is different from the regular police -- beating, clubbing, kicking and stomping on injured protesters.
Demonstrators were also seen hitting security officers with sticks and stamping on those who fell.
Kurnia described the situation as "anarchic" and promised to negotiate with local residents about changes to the cemetery.
"They've misunderstood... we're not removing the tomb but only the old buildings and gate," he said.
"We've stopped the demolition and will resume negotiations with demonstrators another time."
Protesters say the revered Habib Hasan bin Muhammad Al Hadad, also known as Mbah Priok, helped spread Islam in North Jakarta in the 18th century, according to the Jakarta Globe newspaper.
Visitors to his tomb believe their wishes will be granted if they pray there. (AFP)