Land dispute kills three

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: At least three people have been killed and 19 houses burned in a communal brawl between residents of Longge and Raba villages in Macang Pacar district in Manggarai regency, a police officer confirmed on Wednesday.

The police source, who asked for anonymity, said the clash erupted on Monday afternoon and was triggered by a prolonged land dispute between the residents dating back to 1970.

Manggarai regency is about 450 kilometers west of here.

The fatalities were identified as Mathias Kiung, 45, Kornelis Ndiking, 35, and Martinus Taring, 40 -- all residents of Longge village.

According to Macang Pacar district head Thomas Alex Subino, earlier on Monday around 19 Longge residents harvested paddy which was planted by Raba villagers on the disputed land.

Upon hearing that their crop were being harvested, Raba villagers became enraged and arrived en masse to the paddy fields to see off their rivals.

The three Longge residents were mobbed to death during the brawl while the others managed to flee, later retaliating for the attack by setting at least 19 houses belonging to Raba residents on fire. (yac)