Sect members evacuated from West Kalimantan

PHOTO: REUTERS

Indonesian Navy personnel help a child from the Gafatar sect disembark from the KRI Teluk Banten naval ship after it transported more than 700 members of the sect from West Kalimantan province to Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta. Their evacuation was initiated after sectarian violence broke out in West Kalimantan province. Members of the group, which the country's highest Islamic council considers a deviant sect, were attacked last week by residents who oppose their beliefs. The attackers burned houses and cars, media reported, but there were no reports of any deaths. The evacuated will be housed in government shelters before being relocated. About 2,000 more people affiliated with Gafatar remain in West Kalimantan and would be relocated soon, officials said.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 28, 2016, with the headline Sect members evacuated from West Kalimantan. Subscribe