Villagers clash over swallow nests<\/p>\n
PADANG, West Sumatra: Dozens have been injured as residents of
\ntwo neighboring districts in Solok, some 60 kilometers southeast
\nof here, fought for the rights to a cave rich with swallow nests.<\/p>\n
Four people were reportedly killed in clashes that erupted on
\nSunday and continued on Monday, but there was no confirmation
\nfrom local authorities or hospitals. At least seven houses, a
\npolice truck and an ambulance were set afire during the melee
\ninvolving residents of Sungai Pagu and Sangir districts. The cave
\nlies in the border area of the two districts.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said the masses armed themselves with homemade
\nrifles, locally known as bedil balansa, and sharp weapons.<\/p>\n
The violence broke out when some 1,000 armed people of Sangir
\nwent to Sungai Pagu following a rumor of an imminent attack by
\ntheir rivals. \"We initiated an assault before they did,\" one of
\nthe Sangir residents said.<\/p>\n
Mass brawls exploded as hundreds of Sungai Pagu people blocked
\ntheir Sangir rivals near a bridge that separates the two
\nsubdistricts. Some people escaped to forests, and their situation
\nremains unclear.<\/p>\n
Provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Didy Kusumayadi regretted
\nthe conflict. He expected the regency administration to quickly
\nsolve the dispute. (28)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/villagers-clash-over-swallow-nests-1447893297",
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