Unrest continues in Luwu regency<\/p>\n
LUWU, South Sulawesi (JP): Clashes among residents from
\nseveral villages in the district of Sabbang in Luwu regency which
\nhave killed at least three people and injured dozens more
\ncontinued on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The unrest which started on Monday forced at least 400
\nresidents from the warring villages, Dandang, Pompaniki, Kampung
\nBaru and Kalotok, to seek refuge in the Luwu capital of Palopo,
\nabout 550 kilometers north of the provincial capital of
\nUjungpandang, on Thursday.<\/p>\n
It was earlier reported that five people had been killed but
\nso far only three have been identified -- Husein, 18, Hasdil, 18,
\nand Rahim, 22.<\/p>\n
At least 87 homes were set on fire in the clashes on Monday
\nand Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Local police however said on Thursday that they had been able
\nto contain the conflict after at least 300 Mobile Brigade
\npersonnel were deployed to the area. A truck full of military
\npersonnel sent to secure the area had an accident in which four
\nwere injured.<\/p>\n
The cause of the fighting was still not clear but Wirabuana
\nMilitary Commander Maj. Gen. Suaidi Marasabessy suspected on
\nThursday that the rioting was triggered by inter religious and
\nethnic tensions. Another local officer had suggested "revenge and
\ndrink."<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Ujungpandang, authorities seized at least 336
\npieces of military certified 7.62 millimeter ammunition from the
\nhouse of a resident, Daeng Tutu, on early Thursday.<\/p>\n
Suaidi said that the ammunition was ordered by someone in
\nPalopo. He suspected that the ammunition would be used in the
\nclashes between residents of the warring villages.<\/p>\n
Residents and security personnel said that warring parties had
\narmed themselves with homemade firearms and an assortment of
\ncrude weapons.<\/p>\n
Suaidi admitted that ammunition of the type confiscated once
\nbelonged to the armory of the Armed Forces (ABRI).<\/p>\n
However he said that he still could not confirm whether the
\nammunition was from an ABRI arsenal as the matter was still under
\ninvestigation.<\/p>\n
Suaidi was in the provincial capital along with South Sulawesi
\nPolice chief Brig. Gen. Mudji Santoso on Thursday to brief the
\nlocal legislators about the latest situation in Luwu.<\/p>\n
Suaidi added that the authorities had also found a location on
\nWednesday suspected to be a "factory" for the assembly of
\nhomemade firearms in Toraja, some 330 kilometers north of
\nUjungpandang,<\/p>\n
He said that security personnel since Wednesday had been
\nraiding houses in the warring villages to search for homemade
\nfirearms and sharp weapons.<\/p>\n
Monday's unrest was the latest incident in a long-standing
\ndispute between the villages. Since last August, 26 people have
\nbeen killed, 119 more injured, and at least 395 houses have been
\nset on fire. (27\/30\/37\/byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/unrest-continues-in-luwu-regency-1447893297",
"image": ""
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