Clashes damage houses, ships

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post/Makassar

Separate communal clashes on Friday and Saturday in South Sulawesi and Central Java left several people injured and dozens of houses and ships damaged.

The clash in North Luwu regency, South Sulawesi, was triggered by news that Cukki, 26, a resident of To'Kuning subdistrict in neighboring Luwu regency, had been killed by a group of young people from Saura subdistrict, North Luwu regency. Cukki was apparently murdered after hitting Aco, a resident of Saura subdistrict.

Cukki's death sparked anger among To'Kuning residents, who descended on Saura subdistrict early on Friday morning seeking revenge.

Dozens of To'Kuning residents, armed with sharp weapons, went on a rampage in Saura subdistrict.

Several Saura residents were injured in the attack and 14 houses sustained major damage. Police officers quickly arrived on the scene and restored order.

Luwu Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Novi Ermansyah said police were now in control of the area and that the situation was returning to normal.

Officers are searching for suspects in To'Kuning subdistrict, said Novi.

Separately, in Demak regency, Central Java, dozens of residents of Morodemak subdistrict attacked residents of the neighboring subdistrict of Margolinduk, injuring several people and damaging 16 houses and several ships.

The attack followed a fight between youths from the two subdistricts. A young man from Morodemak subdistrict was beaten by several youths from Margolinduk subdistrict who spotted him talking to a girl from their neighborhood.

The young man was repeatedly punched but was able to flee the scene. He then returned to his neighborhood and gathered his friends for a revenge attack.

After searching in vain for the people responsible for the assault, the Morodemak youths went on the rampage in Margolinduk subdistrict, throwing stones and attacking 16 houses. They also damaged several ships belonging to local residents.

Police officers quickly arrived in the subdistrict and calmed down the youths, Antara reported.