Police Chief States Situation in Central Halmahera Gradually Recovering After Clash
North Maluku Police Chief Irjen Waris Angono has stated that the situation in Central Halmahera is gradually recovering following the clash between villagers that occurred last week.
He conveyed this during a visit to Desa Sibenpopo, West Patani Subdistrict, Central Halmahera, one of the areas involved in the clash. The Police Chief’s arrival was greeted with tears from villagers who were victims of the confrontation.
Villagers wept amid the sight of their homes reduced to ashes. Children, women, and adults stood along the road, crying, saluting, and honouring him while singing the Indonesian national anthem.
The Police Chief responded with a smile and warm gestures, creating a contrast from sorrow to hope.
To the villagers, the Police Chief described the clash between Desa Banemo Barat and Desa Sibenpopo as stemming from incitement.
“A strong and touching message that incitement causes conflict, and conflict always leaves wounds and tears; therefore, let us abandon incitement for a more peaceful future of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia,” he said while hugging a tearful villager on Sunday (5/4).
Waris stated that the police and the North Maluku Provincial Government are continuously promoting dialogue to resolve the villagers’ clash in West Patani, Central Halmahera. He noted that the situation in both villages has gradually improved.
“Alhamdulillah, the situation has gradually recovered; it has recovered after personnel were deployed to the location. I hope the villagers from both villages can live in harmony again,” he said.
He also invited all elements of society to rebuild brotherhood and not be easily provoked.
Waris assured that the presence of combined TNI-Polri apparatus is not merely to ensure security but also to bring a humanistic approach, embracing, listening, and strengthening.
“From tearful hugs to the hopeful smiles of children, one strong message emerges: peace is not only a need for today but also for the future generations,” said the Police Chief.
The inter-villager conflict occurred on Friday morning (3/4), triggered by the discovery of a body from Desa Banemo Barat in a plantation area located in Desa Sibenpopo territory.
The incident sparked the anger of the victim’s family and local residents. This led to an attack using sharp weapons and other dangerous objects, which was then retaliated against by the other side, resulting in mutual assaults.
As a result of the clash, several houses in Desa Sibenpopo were reported to have been burned. Additionally, one villager from Desa Sibenpopo was reported dead.