Six killed in clash among residents

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Six people, including a five-year-old child, were killed in a clash between residents of two neighboring villages in Manggarai regency, following a dispute over the ownership of a plot of land on Saturday.

Manggarai Regent Gaspar Parang Ehok said on Monday the clash involved Raka and Rentang villagers in Kuwus district. The groups were equipped with a range of weapons, including spears, blades, sharpened bamboos and bows and arrows.

Gaspar said the victims were identified as Andreas Maut, 75, Martinus Ndangu, 74, Damianus Pagu, 53, Agustinus Nurdin, 25, and Martinus Jebarut, whose age was unknown. The child was identified as Liolargus Abut.

"Local police had in fact deployed several officers to prevent them from being involved in a clash. Only two days after the deployment ceased, however, the clash erupted," Gaspar said.

Chief of Manggarai Police precinct R.M. Lumban Tobing had ordered the deployment of 20 officers to the area to help prevent another clash, he said. (yac)