Anti-Christian violence on Indonesian isle
Agence France Presse
JAKARTA, Jan 19: Mataram town on Lombok island, east of Indonesia's Bali holiday resort, remained tense on Wednesday after two days of anti-Christian violence, even as Jakarta warned it would take firm action against rioters, including shooting on sight, police and officials said. At least 11 churches were burned or vandalised in reaction to reports of sectarian attacks by Christians in the distant Maluku islands.``The security in the city is not fully under control,'' said Sergeant Major Darsa of the Mataram police, adding that soldiers and police were on a standby. President Abdurrahman Wahid was quoted by Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak as having ordered security personnel to take ``stern action'' against rioters.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
