Following Customary Land Clash, Residents of Two Villages Banned from Dispute Site
West Manggarai Police Chief AKBP Christian Kadang has prohibited residents from the villages of Rareng and Mbehal from conducting any activities on disputed land following a clash over customary land rights. The prohibition remains in effect while mediation and legal proceedings are ongoing.
Hundreds of residents from the Rareng and Mbehal villages previously clashed at the disputed site in the Lengkong Warang area, Tanjung Boleng Village, Boleng District, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on 29 July. “While the legal process and mediation are underway, we have designated the Lengkong Warang disputed area under status quo status,” Christian stated in a briefing on Friday night.
Christian conveyed this firm stance directly during separate dialogues with customary leaders and community figures from both Mbehal and Rareng villages from this morning until the afternoon. “Both parties, residents of Mbehal and Rareng, are strictly prohibited from performing any activities or physical movements at the dispute location to anticipate further friction,” said Christian.
He added that the West Manggarai Police will handle the legal process regarding the clash professionally and transparently. It is reported that the clash involving hundreds of residents resulted in the burning of two pickups and three motorcycles on the disputed land, as well as the destruction of several huts. No fatalities were reported, though this marks the second clash over the contested land.
The conflict between the two villages has persisted for a long time, with both communities claiming ownership of the land. The disputed site is located approximately 30 minutes by road from Labuan Bajo, situated on the left and right sides of the North Coast Road (Pantura). The area, which spans dozens of hectares, is projected for the tourism development of Labuan Bajo. Although the villages of Mbehal and Rareng are located many kilometres away from the site, the access road between the two villages passes through the disputed land. There are no residential houses on the site, only several guard huts that were demolished during the recent clash. Currently, the land remains unutilised and partially consists of forest.