Minister Pigai Deploys Staff to Handle Inter-Village Clash in East Flores That Killed Three

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has deployed officials from the Ministry of Human Rights’ East Nusa Tenggara regional office to monitor a clash between residents in Adonara, East Flores.

In his statement in Jakarta on Sunday, Pigai said the step was taken as a form of government attention to the handling of a conflict that has claimed lives and caused material losses.

The field monitoring aims to obtain a comprehensive picture of the community’s condition after the conflict, as well as to identify the necessary steps to support a peaceful resolution.

Pigai explained that the monitoring results will serve as material for coordination with the regional government, customary and religious leaders, and all relevant stakeholders.

“Based on our experience handling cases there, we assess that a cultural solution approach is far more effective than policing,” he said.

According to Pigai, a culture-based approach is more effective than one that solely prioritises law enforcement.

He noted that involving customary leaders and dispute resolution mechanisms that live within the community can rebuild trust and prevent similar conflicts in the future.

The Ministry of Human Rights reaffirmed its commitment to continue coordinating with the regional government, security forces, and community figures to ensure the resolution of the clash proceeds peacefully, respects human rights, and provides a sense of security for affected residents.

“The Ministry of Human Rights hopes the situation in Adonara will soon become conducive so that the community can resume their normal activities,” Pigai said.

According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Human Rights, the clash that occurred on Saturday, 18 July, resulted in at least three deaths and dozens of houses being burned.