Govt Provide Assistance To Victims Sampang Violence

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The government will provide compensation to the families of two Shiite Muslims who were killed in an attack by a mob in Sampang district, Madura Island, East Java, according to a minister.

"The President has ordered the allocation of funds, either from the local government or the central government, for the families of the dead victims," Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi said here on Monday.

The minister was scheduled to visit Sampang on Monday. Justice and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin, National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo and Chief of the National Defense Forces (TNI) Admiral Agus Suhartono have also planned to visit the district in order to facilitate talks between stakeholders in the conflict.

"In the evening we will hold a meeting to find a solution," Fauzi said.

A number of Shiite Muslims fled their villages after a mob of Islamic hardliners attacked them and set their houses on fire in Nangkernang, Karanggayam village, Omben sub-district, Sampang.(IGT)