Home Worldwide Indonesia February, 2011 Minister Orders Govt Agencies…

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Top security minister Djoko Suyanto on Sunday night issued a series of instructions for law enforcement agencies in connection with the bloody Ahmadiyah clash in the village of Umbulan.

Djoko stressed that they would thoroughly investigate the matter and handle it with the utmost consideration for all the parties involved.

At least three members of the Ahmadiyah Islamic sect were killed after a conflict with the residents of Umbulan in the Cikeusik subdistrict, Pandeglang district, on Sunday morning. Earlier reports had stated that six died.

“I have instructed the home minister, the minister of religious affairs and the attorney general to evaluate all the basic problems in regard to the Ahmadiyah community and find a way to resolve these issues so that there should never be a repeat of such an attack,” Djoko told reporters in a briefing attended by a number of cabinet ministers, National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo and attorney general Basrief Arief.

“I have instructed all law enforcement, including those at the district level, to monitor and detect these problems that could trigger acts of rioting and anarchy as early as possible.

“To the public, I ask you to please report any such indications that could result in anarchy to the police to prevent such incidents from recurring. I also ask religious leaders to create calm, social relations among their communities.”

Timur explained that on Feb. 3, the police were informed that there were activities related to the Ahmadiyah in Cikeusik. These were led by a certain Ismail Suparman. Locals thought that these activities were unacceptable and were preparing to take action.

“Then FKUB [Interreligious Communication Forum of Banten] anticipated this problem as well and decided to evacuate Ismail to local police for his own protection on Feb. 5,” he said.

“But suddenly, on Feb. 6 at around 7 a.m., a group of 15 Ahmadis, led by a man named Deden who claimed to be from the Ahmadiyah central headquarters, arrived at Ismail’s empty home, saying that the house belonged to the Ahmadiyah community and they would guard it in case of any attack,” Timur added.

“We [the police] arrived and asked them to evacuate. They refused. At the same time, some 1,500 villagers came. This is when the incident occurred. I assure you that we shall really investigate this case.”

Copyright 2010 The Jakarta Globe Source:   www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/minister-orders-govt-agencies-to-look- into-ahmadiyah-clash/421130