E. Timor police kill ex-militiamen

E. Timor police kill ex-militiamen

ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: Authorities said on Monday they
were increasing security in the border area between East Nusa
Tenggara (NTT) and East Timor after the killing of a former pro-
Jakarta militiamen, blamed on police from the neighboring
country.

The East Timorese police have been accused of shooting dead
Vegas Bibilitu, a resident from Turiskain village, Raihat
subdistrict, Belu regency, on Friday.

Kupang Wirasakti military chief Col. Moeswarno Moesanif
confirmed the shooting of the former East Timorese militiamen in
an area close to the Balibaca River, which falls within the
Tactical Coordination zone.

Belu Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Nugroho said that based
on a preliminary investigation, Vegas was shot dead in the chest
while trying to sneak into East Timor across the river, carrying
arrows.

Quoting a statement by an East Timorese police officer, he
said the shooting was aimed at self-defense as Vegas had fired an
arrow at another East Timorese police officer.

Vegas' body was still with the East Timor police, who are
investigating the incident.

The Belu authorities temporarily closed Turiskain traditional
market, some two kilometers from the scene, to prevent possible
revenge attacks by local residents.

Lt. Col. Joko Setiyono, a security taskforce commander in the
border area, said the market would be reopened soon after the
situation returned to normal.

"The incident has prompted us to order all Indonesian Military
troops to increase security surveillance to maintain peace in the
border area," he said. --JP