Communal clash broke out in Sawahlunto

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.