One dead in village clash

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: One person died and at least 50 houses were burned in a clash between residents of two neighboring villages in the Bima regency.

Bima Police chief Lt. Col. Burhanuddin Andi said on Monday the clash occurred between residents of Soroafu and Sorobali villages on Thursday.

He said the police had difficulty stopping the violence due to the remote location of the villages, which can only be reached by sea.

"But currently the situation is under control", Burhannudin said.

Antara reported the incident began during a wedding party in Sorobali, when locals suspected a guest from Soroafu was carrying a sharp weapon.

Youths from Sorobali chased down the guest and beat him up.

News of the incident reached residents of Soroafu, who arrived in Sorobali by boat and burned houses and an elementary school.

The one fatality in the violence, Mujudin, was not a resident of either village. He was from Laju village and simply happened to be attending the wedding party.

It is unclear whether police have detained anyone over the incident. (02)