Dozens of houses burned in clash

Dozens of houses burned in clash

PADANG, West Sumatra: Dozens of residents' houses in the
village of Mulyo Kersik Tuo, in the Kayu Aro tea plantation in
Kerinci regency, 400 kilometers from here, were burned down
following a two-day clash between the residents which erupted on
Monday.

Police could not confirm any fatalities.

Reports said that hundreds of migrants, mostly women and
children, from West Sumatra and Jawa in Kerinci regency had fled,
while the men stayed to stave off a possible attack from their
"enemies".

"The indigenous people attacked the migrants," a local, who
asked for anonymity, said.

Anther version said that the clash was due to the locals'
jealousy of the migrants. "The conflict started a long time ago,"
another resident said. "Last week Governor Zainal Bakar visited
Kerinci to deal with the clash." (28/sur)