A total of 58 witnesses, including 23 police officers, were questioned by the Papuan police investigating the case.Jayapura (ANTARA News) - The Papuan Provincial Police questioned President of the Evangelical Churches of Indonesia (GIDI) Priest Dorman Wandikmo for six hours on Sunday over the sectarian incident that occurred in Tolikara on July 17.
Two lawyers flanked the GIDI priest during the interrogation, Senior Adjunct Commissioner Nurhabri of the Papuan police told ANTARA here on Tuesday.
The provincial police had also called Chairman of the Tolikara chapter of GIDI Priest Nayus Wenda and the secretary, Priest Mathen Jingga, for questioning over the same incident. However, they did not meet the summons.
In addition, two suspects identified by their initials as AK and JW are currently being detained for their alleged involvement in the occurrence.
A total of 58 witnesses, including 23 police officers, were questioned by the Papuan police investigating the case.
On the morning of July 17, hundreds of people attacked and pelted stones at Muslims performing outdoor Eid al-Fitr prayers in the military offices yard in Karubaga sub-district, Tolikara district. This forced the worshippers, who are Muslim minority in the area, to flee to a nearby local military office for protection.
The mob set fires that burned down more than 50 kiosks and houses. The fires spread and engulfed Baitul Mutaqqin Mosque in flames.
This prompted security officers to open fire at the attackers, which caused 11 perpetrators, who are members of GIDI, to sustain injuries and one fatality.
However, according to the Tolikara branch of GIDI, the attackers had only burned down the kiosks of the local Muslims and had no intention of setting fire to the mosque located in the same area.
Following the incident, at least 153 Muslims were evacuated and accommodated in several tents set up at the Karubaga Military Headquarters, as their houses were destroyed in the fire.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
