Shiite followers’ houses looted in Sampang

People are reportedly looting houses of a Shiite community that was evacuated after a clash with alleged Sunnis on Thursday in Nangkreng hamlet, Karang Gayam village in Sampang on Madura Island in East Java, which resulted in a number of Shiite followers’ houses being burned down.

According to the coordinator of lawyers representing the Shiite group Ahlul Bait Indonesia, Muhammad Hadun Hadar, dozens of people looted the empty houses of the Shiite community on Friday night.

“We have filed a report with the police, even before the pillage took place, but no efforts were made to safeguard the village,” Hadun said on Saturday in Surabaya as quoted by tempo.co.

He said his team recorded seven vehicle registration documents and vehicle ownership documents taken by the looters.

Gold jewelry, clothes and electronic equipment was also taken.

Hadun suspected it was part of a plan to force the Shiite community out of the village. “If they lose all of their belongings, the Shiites will not be able to redevelop their village,” he said.

Thursday’s incident was not the first of its kind targeting the Shiite community in Sampang. According to the Surabaya-based Center for Marginalized Communities Studies (CMARS), violence against the Shiite community had been ongoing for years. (iwa)