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Mob forces former Gafatar members from their homes
A mobile brigade (Brimob) officer assists in the relocation of former members of the controversial Fajar Nusantara Movement's (Gafatar) from their homes, several of which a mob burned down in the Mempawah regency, West Kalimantan, on Tuesday
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A mobile brigade (Brimob) officer assists in the relocation of former members of the controversial Fajar Nusantara Movement's (Gafatar) from their homes, several of which a mob burned down in the Mempawah regency, West Kalimantan, on Tuesday. (Antara/Jessica Helena Wuysang) (Brimob) officer assists in the relocation of former members of the controversial Fajar Nusantara Movement's (Gafatar) from their homes, several of which a mob burned down in the Mempawah regency, West Kalimantan, on Tuesday. (Antara/Jessica Helena Wuysang)
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span class="caption">A mobile brigade (Brimob) officer assists in the relocation of former members of the controversial Fajar Nusantara Movement's (Gafatar) from their homes, several of which a mob burned down in the Mempawah regency, West Kalimantan, on Tuesday. (Antara/Jessica Helena Wuysang)
Indonesian Police and military relocated hundreds of former members of the controversial Fajar Nusantara Movement (Gafatar) to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Wednesday, following the burning of their houses in Mempawah Regency, West Kalimantan.
The former Gafatar members started arriving at the Kodam VII Tanjungpura temporary shelter on Tuesday afternoon, since they have nowhere else to stay, West Kalimantan Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Cmr. Arianto said.
"There are currently hundreds of police and military members guarding the location of the former members' houses to prevent any unexpected occurrences," Arianto said as quoted by Tempo.co.
The heightened security was put in place after the evacuation began, as a result of the burning of nine houses belonging to former Gafatar members, allegedly by Mempawah residents who have persistantly been pushing them to leave the region, Arianto said.
The residents should prevent themselves from committing criminal acts, Arianto added.
"Let's just take this issue to the authorities in charge who can handle it," Arianto added.
Mempawah Regent Ria Norsan said after the issues are resolved the former members would return home by ship, adding that the local government has allocated funds for the repatriation and would manage the assets and homes of the former group members.
On Monday an automobile was set on fire in the yard of the Mempawah regent's office when the owner, who used to belong to Gafatar, was negotiating with the local government about an ultimatum issued by the residents to banish the former members from Mempawah.
"Representatives of the former members asked for more time to discuss the residents' ultimatum with their group and families," Norsan said.
The regent had asked residents who were protesting to disband, but they refused. They then took stronger action by burning down the nine houses, depriving the former members of their homes.
A coordinator for a group of former Gafatar members, Joko, 48, said he had nothing left following the banishment, since all of his money and property had been invested to develop his farm in Sedahan village, North Kayong regency.
"We will let the government decide, since we don't have any place to go and nothing left," Joko said. (afr)(+)
