That heavy punishment would serve as a deterrent to future violence.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for stern punishment for those involved in the violence against Shiite Muslims in Sampang district, Madura Island, East Java, in order to achieve a deterrent effect.
"If it is firm and fair, and when gross wrongdoing is punished sternly, it will be good for our nation," he told the press here on Monday.
The President explained that heavy punishment would serve as a deterrent to future violence.
He also instructed the East Java authorities to help the victims by providing medical services for the injured and accommodation for those rendered homeless after their houses were burnt down by the attackers.
A number of Shiite Muslims fled their villages after a mob of Islamic hardliners attacked them and set their houses on fire in Nangkernang, Karanggayam village, Omben sub-district, Sampang.
Two Shiite Muslims were reported killed and scores of others were injured in the incident in Omben on Sunday.
At present, there are 50 refugees - comprising women and children from Omben - accommodated at the Wijaya Kusuma Sport Hall in Sampang on East Java`s Madura Island after the Sunday attack.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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