Paras Indonesia, 10, 25 2005 @ 08:56 pm
4 Killed as Police Clash with Sect
Roy Tupai
Four people were reported killed when police clashed with machete-wielding members
of a religious sect at a village on the outskirts of Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi
province, on Tuesday (25/10/05).
Detikcom online news portal reported that three police were killed and several others
taken hostage by followers of a controversial local religious leader, Mahdi.
Mahdi's sect apparently fuses Islam with traditional beliefs. Tuesday's violence
erupted at about 2pm after police visited the sect's headquarters following complaints
from locals that the cleric's followers had refused to fast during or perform daily
prayers during Ramadhan, but were instead drinking alcohol and gambling.
One of the sect's members, identified as Hatu (38), was reported killed when police
opened fire after being attacked by the group.
About nine policemen were abducted during the clash, which took place in Salena
hamlet, Buluri village, West Palu subdistrict. Most of the abductees were wounded
but later managed to escape.
Detikcom identified the three fatalities as Palu Police chief Commissioner Adjutant
Fuadi Khalik, Second Brigadier Arwansyah and Commissioner Adjutant Imam
Dwiharyadi.
"Six police were able to escape from the hostage takers. They are still in a state of
shock and some of them are wounded. So far, three police are still being held
hostage," an unnamed police source was quoted as saying by detikcom.
State news agency Antara identified the three missing police as Rizal, Parajama and
Sugeng.
Four of the six police who managed to escape were identified as West Palu Police
chief Commissioner Adjutant Bayu Wijanarko, First Brigadier Mansyur Halaenti, and
police detectives Nasrun and Yunan. The dead and wounded were brought to
Wirabuana Hospital in Palu. Halaenti, who was rescued from a mountainside after
giving his abductors the slip, said he believed two police were still being held hostage.
Wijanarko said one of his abducted colleagues had sustained a severe machete
wound to the neck.
Police had on Saturday first attempted to take Mahdi to West Palu Police
headquarters for questioning over complaints that his teachings had disturbed local
residents. But Mahdi refused to cooperate.
At 1pm Tuesday, about 12 police visited the sect's headquarters to again request that
Mahdi come with them for questioning. He again refused. A war of words erupted
between the police and dozens of Mahdi's enraged supporters, who wore uniforms of
white headbands and yellow scarves. When police refused to leave, the supporters
began attacking them with machetes.
Police responded by opening fire but apparently killed only one of the attackers before
running out of ammunition. The members of the sect gave chase and further attacked
the police.
Mahdi and his followers then escaped to the hills, taking several police hostages with
them. They are believed to be hiding on the slopes of Mount Gawalise.
Detikcom reported that Mahdi and his followers managed to escape because they are
"suspected to be invulnerable to bullets".
By 6.30pm, a company of Mobile Brigade (Brimob) anti-riot police had arrived in
Salena hamlet. But the officers had to wait for about one hour for supplies of
flashlights before they could pursue the sect because the village does not have
electricity.
Central Sulawesi Police deputy chief Senior Commissioner Sukirno and Palu Police
chief senior Commissioner Guntur Widodo inspected the scene of the violence, while
Central Sulawesi Police chief Senior Commissioner Oegroseno was on his way to the
area.
Sukirno said the Brimob officers were not able to immediately pursue Mahdi and his
followers because they were awaiting the arrival of logistics from Palu. "Up until now
we are still waiting for equipment, because it is very difficult to traverse this area. We
need information and the logistics," he said.
Salena hamlet is located about 5 kilometers away from the Palu-Donggala highway
and about 11 kilometers from Palu. Detikcom reported the hamlet was pitch dark and
covered by fog.
Sukirno said he was also awaiting the arrival of a team from Gegana, the National
Police's anti-terror squad.
Police have checked about 10 houses situated near Mahdi's headquarters. Only two
of the houses were occupied, but police said the occupants were not members of the
sect.
Villagers Armed
In Lekatu hamlet, which borders Salena, hundreds of villagers had reportedly armed
themselves with machetes to protect themselves in the event that Mahdi's followers
return.
"We are prepared. Let us hope Mahdi and his followers don't attack us," a villager was
quoted as saying by detikcom.
Antara reported that Mahdi had established his sect about six months ago and
attracted followers from 90 households.
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