Man dies after communal clash

AMBON, Maluku: Sayuti Roroa, a victim of a recent communal conflict in Kei Kecil district, Southeast Maluku regency, died on Thursday afternoon as a result of gunshot wounds.

Sayuti was rushed to Tual Hospital on Tuesday after he was shot in the left hip by police who were trying to quell a riot that broke out in Kei Kecil district. He was among 22 people, four of whom were police personnel, who were wounded in the incident.

The situation in the district returned to normal on Thursday after the conflict two days earlier that saw fighting between residents of Debut subdistrict and Dian Pulau and Dian Darat subdistricts. As of Thursday, 16 people were still being treated in various hospital in the regency.

Chief of Southeast Maluku Regental Police Adj. Sr. Comr. J. Timisela said that police personnel had beefed up security in the regency to prevent further conflict. -- JP