Police receive 57 homemade firearms left over from inter-village conflicts

Kupang (ANTARA) - A total of 57 homemade firearms left over from inter-village conflicts on Adonara Island were handed over to the East Flores Police, NTT Regional Police, as an effort to maintain security and order in the area after the conflict.

The Chief of the East Flores Police, AKBP Adhitya Octario Putra, who was contacted from Kupang on Sunday, said that a number of these homemade firearms were surrendered by residents from Narasaosina village, which had previously been in conflict with Waiburak village, East Adonara sub-district.

“This is a very good example of how security and peace can be built through awareness, trust, and togetherness,” said Adhitya.

In addition to the 57 homemade firearms, residents also surrendered 49 bows, 198 arrows, and 25 homemade bullet casings.

The event was also witnessed by the Deputy Commander of Company B, Pioneer Detachment, NTT Regional Police Mobile Brigade, AKP Antonio Cortereal, Head of Operations at the East Flores Police, Eduardus Nuru, Chief of Intelligence and General Affairs at the East Flores Police, Taufan D. Adriansyah, and Chief of the East Adonara Police Sector, IPDA Andreas Peu Lamuri.

The Chief of Police said that the voluntary action by the Narasaosina community is a positive signal that residents are choosing a peaceful path and prioritizing resolving problems through fraternal and legal approaches.

According to him, the presence of illegal weapons among the community has the potential to trigger new conflicts and endanger the safety of residents.

“We urge members of the public who still have homemade firearms or other dangerous weapons to voluntarily surrender them to the police for the sake of common security,” he said.

He emphasized that traditional leaders, village governments, and the community have a shared responsibility to protect young people from being involved in violence.

“What we want is a peaceful situation. Brotherhood must be maintained. Therefore, the community voluntarily surrendered these weapons to the police,” he said.

The action of the Narasaosina community is considered an important momentum in rebuilding security in East Adonara after social tensions that had occurred in the area.

Currently, the security situation in both areas is conducive and residents are carrying out their activities as usual.