TEMPO.CO, Bangkalan – Two years after the conflict between Shiite and Sunni followers in Sampang regency, East Java, the security in the area remains tight. East Java Police personnel are still seend standing guard in Karang Gayang village, Omben district and Blu’uran hamlet, Karang Penang village where Shiite followers live.
Sampang Police operational head Comr. Sarwo Waskito said the police had not withdrawn their personnel because the area could still cause potential conflict although hundreds of Shiite refugees had lived at Puspaagro apartment for more than a year. “Police officers are still there to prevent the worst possibility,” said Waskito on Tuesday.
The Shiite-Sunni row in Sampang erupted in August 2013. Thousands of Sunni majority attacked Shiite residents and burned their houses. One Shiite resident was killed in the attack. Since the conflict, Shiite residents have taken shelter at Puspaagro apartment in Sidoarjo and been unable to return home.
Sarwo said although there was no conflict, the police still routinely patrol around Shiite residences to ensure that the situation was under control.
Abdul Gaffar, a Karang Penang resident, said he supported the presence of police officers in the area because they could prevent Shiite followers in Sampang from returning to their hometown secretly. “There was once a Shiite resident trying to return home, but he was found out by the police and was sent back to Sidoarjo,” he said.
Gaffar continued that the presence of police officers also caused the mosque in his village to be more active in conducting mass prayers.
MUSTHOFA BISRI
