Six Buildings Damaged in Inter-Village Clashes in East Flores as Weapons Seized

Six buildings were damaged and burned after clashes between Narasaosina Village and Waiburak Village in the Adonara Timur District of East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). The damaged properties include a copra warehouse, two business premises (a motorcycle wash and a barbershop), and three residents’ houses. ‘Material losses from the incident are still being tallied by authorities together with the village government,’ said Flores Timur Police Chief AKBP Adhitya Octorio Putra on Friday, 6 March 2026. Adhitya said the Flores Timur Police seized a number of weapons used in the clash. Items recovered include slingshots, arrows, machettes, and several improvised devices believed to have been used as stun devices. The Flores Timur Police, he added, immediately deployed to the scene to control the situation and prevent the conflict from spreading. Officers from Flores Timur Police, together with Adonara Timur Police Sector, went to the scene to secure the area and to engage in persuasive outreach to ensure the situation remained conducive. Security measures are now being stepped up with personnel stationed at several vulnerable points to deter the movement of crowds from both sides. In addition, Flores Timur Police are engaging in intensive dialogue with traditional leaders, community figures, and village authorities to defuse tensions. ‘We prioritise a humane approach by involving traditional leaders and community figures so that this matter can be resolved through deliberation,’ Adhitya said. He urged all residents to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could worsen the situation. He said the police, together with the local government, remain committed to facilitating dialogue between the two sides to seek a fair solution and maintain security in Adonara Timur. ‘We urge all residents to maintain security and order. Leave the resolution of this matter to authorities and local government through dialogue and deliberation,’ Adhitya said. Head of Public Relations Section of Flores Timur Police, AKP Eliezer A Kalelado, said a number of joint TNI-Polri personnel have been deployed to secure the inter-village clashes in Adonara Timur. Police and the Indonesian Army (TNI) remain stationed there. ‘30 officers from the Flores Timur Police shifted to secure Adonara Timur Police Sector and 32 Brimob personnel deployed from Sikka under BKO,’ Eliezer said when contacted by detikBali. Commander of the 02/Adonara Military District (Danramil), Captain Inf Paulus Ibi Weking, said the TNI have deployed around 45 personnel to secure the clashes. ‘At present, we have around 45 personnel from Koramil 02/Adonara with support from Makodim 1624/Flotim,’ Paulus stated. (hsa/hsa)