Brawl kills three in Manggarai

Brawl kills three in Manggarai

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: At least three people were killed
when residents from two villages in Manggarai Regency clashed
over the weekend, Pos Kupang reported on Monday.

Regent Gaspar Parang Ehok told the daily that the brawl, which
pitted Lao Desa villagers against Dalo village residents, was
sparked by a land dispute. He said security authorities restored
order.

"Envy (between the villages) has a long history. A clash
almost erupted early this year, but was interrupted," Gaspar
said. The latest clash, in which residents armed themselves with
spears, swords and arrows, lasted three days after beginning on
Friday.

Gaspar said he was waiting for reports on the brawl, including
identification of the fatalities.

The dispute between the two groups originated from a court
ruling which granted the demand for five plots of land filed by
Dalo villagers in 1967. Protesting the verdict, Lao villagers
appealed to higher courts. The East Nusa Tenggara High Court
awarding them two of the plots in 1985 and the Supreme Court
sustaining the ruling in 1990. (yac)