Flores tense as police, army clash
KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Police and Army troops, backed by local civilians scuffled on Monday at Maumere, Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on the island of Flores, leaving more than 10 people, including seven policemen seriously wounded.
The Maumere police office was also damaged as a gang of Army soldiers and locals stormed the building.
NTT Police chief Brig. Gen. Yacobus Jacky Uli told The Jakarta Post that the clash was triggered by a dispute involving Maumere police detective chief Capt. Sinambela and local district military commander Capt. Simon at a nightclub late on Sunday night.
It was unclear what caused the nightclub dispute.
"The conflict between the two groups continued hours later with a number of local military members attacking and damaging the Maumere police office," Uli said.
"At the same time, several Army troops involved in the attack were caught and beaten by police officers," he added.
Asked why local civilians were involved in the attack, Uli claimed that it was because the Maumere district military chief was a respected figure in the town, and they wanted to defend his honor.
"Therefore, his supporters spontaneously joined the military personnel in the attack," he claimed.
Uli said the security situation in Maumere was still tense on Monday evening as armed Army troops and their local supporters continued to besiege the police office.
Some shots were also fired by the attackers, he added.
"I have coordinated with the district police chiefs in the province to isolate their members, including Mobile Brigade personnel, and to secure all firearms to prevent the conflict from escalating," Uli said.
He said the police also asked Kupang's Wirasakti military chief Col. Moeswarno Moesanip to help restore security in Maumere and prevent other Army members from worsening the situation.
"As of this afternoon, the situation is not yet under control because both sides are still threatening each other and it may escalate into a gunbattle," Uli said on Monday. --JP