Communal clash broke out in Sawahlunto

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Dozens of community leaders from the West Sumatra regency of Sawahlunto Sijunjung agreed on Thursday to resolve differences after clashes involving villagers from two districts.

During the tense meeting at Sawahlunto Sijunjung Police Headquarters the leaders agreed that villagers from Padang Sibusuk who had attacked and looted Muaro Kalaban should repay the losses suffered.

The losses were estimated at Rp 3.5 billion (US$411,764), said Sony, the chairman of Muaro Kalaban Youth organization.

"Both sides are expected to accept the outcome of the meeting, so that there will be no more clashes," he said.

He said the community leaders also allowed the police to investigate the incident to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The incident began on Wednesday afternoon, the second day of Idul Fitri holidays, when dozens of teenagers from both Padang Sibusuk and Muaro Kalaban were playing and swimming at a swimming pool in Muaro Kalaban.

A dispute erupted, which ended in brawl, First. Brig. Zulkifli said on Thursday.

The dispute escalated. Teenagers from the neighboring district of Padang Sibusuk, who were driven back to their district, informed their families that they had fought with their adversaries.

The families could not accept the defeat and hundreds of residents from Padang Sibusuk district, carrying sharp weapons and riding in trucks, descended on the neighboring district and attacked local residents and houses there.

The attack turned into a rampage, with residents of Padang Sibusuk plundering valuables from dozens of houses and shops in Muaro Kalaban. The buildings were set ablaze by the attackers afterwards.

The residents of Muaro Kalaban eventually consolidated their forces and drove the attackers from their district on Wednesday night.

Antara reported that three Muaro Kalaban residents were injured during the attack. They were being treated at a community health center in Muaro Kalaban.

The police arrived late at around 11 p.m, after the situation had returned to relative calm.

As of Thursday, some 250 police personnel were patrolling Muaro Kalaban.

The districts, 90 kilometers north of the West Sumatra capital Padang, are separated by a river.