"It began with a common traffic accident involving two lovers, who happened to be a policeman and a civilian. Later, a rumour spread that the cause of death of the civilian was abnormal," Djoko said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Chief security minister Djoko Suyanto said recent riots in Sumbawa, Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara, were caused by a rumour that had spread through text messages.

"It began with a common traffic accident involving two lovers, who happened to be a policeman and a civilian. Later, a rumour spread that the cause of death of the civilian was abnormal," he said on Wednesday.

This message on an unaccountable death made many people furious.

"This led to several riots, which later led to robberies," he said.

The minister had urged the public not to get carried away by the rumour.

"Please do not resort to violence," he said.

According to the national police chief, the district is now under control.

The riots began following a demonstration involving 200 people in Jalan Yos Sudarso, in the village of Seketeng, at around 1pm on Tuesday.

Most of the demonstrators were related to Arniati, the woman who had died in a traffic accident on Sunday. They were not convinced that Arniati had died in a traffic accident. According to them, she was murdered.

Before she was pronounced dead, Ariniati and her boyfriend, Brigadier I Gede Eka Suarjana, had gone on a ride on a motorbike.

According to Arniati`s family members, Ariniati was killed.

The police has interrogated 90 people, who are believed to be involved in the riots.

"Around 90 suspected demonstrators are being questioned," said the National Police`s head of public information division, Brigadier General Boy Rafli Amar.

He said 1,300 police officers and 476 military (TNI) personnel had been deployed to stop conflicts in the region.

"Most of the demonstrators being questioned are believed to be perpetrators of violence. So far, there have been no deaths in the region," he said.

Boy said because of the riots on Tuesday, 13 houses, two shops, a supermarket, a hotel and a traditional market had been damaged. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013