Situation Returns to Normal in Pontianak, IndonesiaAfter being crippled for three days by interethnic clashes that left at least six people dead, Pontianak, capital of Indonesia's West Kalimantan province, was returning to normal, according to the Jakarta Post Sunday.Although a curfew was still in place on Saturday, the main streets of the city were filled with private vehicles. However, public transportation vehicles were still not operating. The areas where the clashes took place have been cleared of debris. Barricades were removed as well, and the areas looked quiet and peaceful. Supermarkets were open for the first time since the interethnic clashes between indigenous Malays and migrant Madurese began on Wednesday. Some smaller shops, which usually open in the morning, began doing business in the afternoon. Groups of people were still seen at several flash points around the city, but none of them were carrying swords or other sharp weapons. Security officers were still on alert in these areas. Reinforcement troops dispatched from Jakarta to Pontianak on Friday have had a visible effect, and sweeps conducted by the police are expected to help reduce the tension. The violence in Pontianak began on Wednesday after groups of Madurese and Malays clashed near Kapuas bridge, leaving one man dead and three others injured. The violence increased in intensity and by Friday six people were dead, dozens of others injured, 50 shops razed and dozens of becak (three-wheeled pedicabs) destroyed. It was reported that representatives of the two warring groups have expressed remorse over the violence. |
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