Massive brawls a tradition in Mataram

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Udayana Regional Military Commander Maj. Gen. Adam R. Damiri has blamed long-standing feuds for a recent massive brawl between residents of Petemon and Karang Genteng, Pagutan district, in which seven people were killed, six seriously injured and 30 houses damaged.

Antara quoted Damiri as saying the authorities would invite community leaders to help the authorities defuse the situation. He said the authorities would also build a sentry post to monitor the situation.

Brawls took place in the early hours on Saturday Oct. 31 and on Oct. 28. One person was killed in the latter brawl.

There was no explanation about the reason for the feuds or the brawls, but Governor Harun Alrasid said he was saddened by the fact that people of the same religion and group could harbor hatred for years. "They should ask for God's forgiveness," he said. (29/swe)