Police to begin probe into Timika violence

P.C. Naommy, Jakarta

The National Police announced on Wednesday they would open an investigation into recent tribal violence in Timika, Papua, which claimed the lives of four people.

"The (Nduga and Damal) tribes have stopped fighting and the situation is stabilizing. So we will be able to start the legal investigation into the dispute in Timika," National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Paiman said on Wednesday.

Paiman said an increased presence of security officers in the town had helped the situation in Timika return to normal.

"The police deployed more than 300 Mobile Brigade officers to restore security and prevent more violence," he said.

According to Paiman, the tribal violence was triggered by a family feud almost a month ago. In that earlier feud, a member of the Nduga tribe, Jimmy Murib, killed a member of the Damal tribe, Mathius.

Mathius was killed after he was accused of murdering Jimmy's niece, Novi Kun. Police, however, say Novi committed suicide.

With tensions between the two tribes running high because of the killing, violence again erupted on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of Pendeman Alom of the Nduga tribe and Jumar Murib of the Damal tribe.

The violence continued on Tuesday, leaving Nduga tribe member Ulum Alom dead. His death brought the total number of fatalities in the family feud and the later tribal violence to four -- two from the Nduga tribe and two from the Damal tribe.

Paiman said the fact that the number of fatalities was equal on both sides may have prompted the tribes to call a stop to the clashes.

Damal tribal leader Helminus Murib earlier told Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Timbul Silaen during a visit to try and put a halt to the violence that the clashes would end when the number of casualties on both sides was equal.

Also during that visit, Nduga tribal leader Decky Murib told Timbul his tribe was ready to make peace if the Damal tribe was also willing.