At Least 12 Die in New Attacks on Borneo
An outbreak of violence in a town on Borneo island claimed at least 12 lives and prompted police to send in hundreds of reinforcements, authorities said Friday.
Indonesian police Col. Sukarji said 600 officers were sent to the town of Kuala Kapuas in Central Kalimantan province, about 480 miles northeast of Jakarta, to halt attacks by native Dayaks. Police and soldiers were ordered to shoot Dayak rioters on sight, he said.
About 700 Madurese took refuge in the town’s sports stadium, said Sukarji, who, like many Indonesians, uses one name.
Gangs of Dayaks slaughtered nearly 500 people in a campaign to drive settlers from Madura island out of the Indonesian part of Borneo this year.
Tens of thousands of migrants have fled the region since the killings began Feb. 18.
Dayak natives on Borneo, who resent competition from settlers for land and jobs, have vowed to kill any Madurese who stay or try to return.
The state Antara news agency reported at least 17 deaths in the latest violence. The differing death tolls could not immediately be reconciled.
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