One killed in Bali dispute

DENPASAR, Bali: A dispute between rival groups at Ubung bus terminal on Sunday left one dead and a police officer severely injured.

The dead man was identified as Ook, an official of the Kentjono bus company who was stabbed by a mob who turned angry after a rival group burned a bus belonging to the Indonesia Abadi firm.

Police said the clash was sparked by a dispute between a police officer, Pvt. Kade Suwarsa, who reprimanded a bus agent for forcing his friend to take an Indonesia Abadi bus at noon on Sunday.

The policeman was rushed to Sanglah Hospital after the agent, named Cholik, stabbed him in the chest. Cholik was arrested later in the day.

In apparent retaliation, a group of people set the bus alight.

As of Sunday evening the situation was still tense as hundreds of local residents gathered amid rumors of attacks on their villages.

"The incident was purely a dispute between hoodlums in Ubung and did not involve locals living near the terminal. So we urge people to stay calm," Denpasar Regional Police chief Sr. Supt. DBM Suharyo said after meeting with local leaders here. (zen/edt)