Dozens more people injured in Timika tribal violence

Nethy Dharma Somba, Timika

Fears a tribal conflict in Papua could end in a bloodbath grew on Monday after 45 people were injured on the third day of fighting on the outskirts of the southern town of Timika.

The conflict began at 7:30 a.m. when about 3,000 Nduga and Damal tribesmen battled with spears and bows and arrows in the Old Kwamki village, about 10 kilometers north of Timika, on the south coast of Papua.

The clash ended three hours later, when hundreds of police managed to separate the warring parties after earlier firing warning shots over the crowd.

One police officer was injured in the melee, while the other 44 victims were tribesmen, bringing the total number of injured in the conflict to 88. Two tribesmen died on the first day of fighting, which had begun as a family feud.

After the clash, Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Timbul Silaen visited the warring leaders to try and mediate an end to the violence.

Damal tribal leader Helminus Murib told Timbul the war would end when casualties on both sides became equal.

Referring to the killing that allegedly started the conflict, he said the Damal tribe had lost two people to the fighting while their enemies, the Nduga, had only lost one.

Traditional laws regulating inter-tribal war had been upheld for years in Papua and Indonesian justice could not be expected to resolve the clash, he said.

Decky Murib from the Nduga tribe said his people were ready to face the Damal, either in war or peace. "If they want to continue the battle, we will be ready for them. Otherwise, we are ready for peace -- if they are willing to make it happen," Decky said.

Helminus said he would discuss making peace with the family of Mathius Murib, who was killed last month by a member of the Nduga tribe.

Helminus said by Tuesday (today), the tribe would have made a decision on the matter.

Timbul, meanwhile, called for the Nduga to compensate the Damal for the death of Mathius -- with livestock, by hosting a feast or providing other valuables. "We hope that (the Damal) can come up with the best solution so that the conflict will wind down," Timbul said.

The roots of the clash are controversial. Mathius died after he was allegedly shot with an arrow by Jimmy Murib of the Nduga tribe, in the Jayanti residential complex in Timika.

Jimmy allegedly killed Mathius, because he believed Mathius had killed Jimmy's niece, Novi Kum.

However, police said Novi had committed suicide by drinking poison.

The family of Mathius, backed by his tribe, did not accept the verdict and attacked Jimmy and his tribesmen. The fighting resulted in the death of Pendeman Alom of the Nduga and Jumar Murib of the Damal.

Battles between tribes are not uncommon in Papua, Indonesia's most easternmost province.