Rice Stocks in Tolikara Need to be Increased: Minister Khofifah

TEMPO.CO, Tolikara - Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa emphasized the need to increase the rice stocks in Tolikara to ensure adequate logistics for the local community and evacuees following a sectarian attack on Eid Fitr holiday.

"The stock is decreasing," the minister stated during a visit to Karubaga sub-district, Tolikara District, Papua Province.

She also visited a rice warehouse of the Tolikara regional logistics office that currently has 202 tons of rice received from Wamena.

The minister pointed out that the rice stock will not be sufficient to meet the local demand.

Therefore, she urged the concerned local officials to ensure that they have adequate rice stocks including for the evacuees. 

The social affairs minister, accompanied by Womens Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise, visited the shops, houses, and a mosque that had been set afire and oversaw the condition of the evacuees in the district.

She noted that some logistics, mainly basic supplies, had been distributed to the evacuees.

"We ascertain that the logistic needs of the evacuees have been met," Parawansa remarked.

The minister also handed out head scarfs to the refugees and met a victim, who was suffering from bullet wounds at Karubaga hospital.

Members of the Evangelical Christians in Indonesia (GIDI) stormed and attacked Muslims performing Eid al-Fitr prayers in Karubaga sub-district, Tolikara District, Papua Province, on July 17 morning.

During the attack on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, they also burnt down more than 10 kiosks, some houses, and a mosque.

The attackers also pelted stones at the worshipers, prompting security officers to open fire at them. Some 11 attackers were injured, and one was killed in the shootings.

At least 153 Muslims were evacuated to several tents set up at the Karubaga Military Headquarters on Saturday (July 18), as their houses were destroyed in the fire on Eid day.

On July 11, 2015, the Tolikara GIDI issued a letter that bans Eid al-Fitr prayers, Muslim women from wearing hijab, and the construction of any places of worship apart from Evangelical churches in the area.

However, GIDI President Dorman Wandikbo informed merdeka.com that the content of the letter was wrong, and he had informed the Tolikara GIDI about it. He believed that the attack occurred as a result of misunderstanding and miscommunication.

According to the Tolikara GIDI, the attackers had only burnt down the kiosks and houses belonging to the local Muslims but had no intentions of setting fire to a mosque located in the same area.

ANTARA