Flores tense as police, army clash

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