Sumba police net 11 looters

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Police in the West Sumba regency capital of Waikabubak have detained 11 people for looting from houses left empty by their owners following last week's tribal clashes.

Waikabubak Police chief Lt. Col. S.M. Simatupang was quoted by Pos Kupang daily on Tuesday as saying that all of the suspects were currently detained, pending further investigation.

"The number of suspects might increase further," the officer said.

According to Simatupang, the 11 people were caught red-handed looting items, mostly electronic goods and kitchen tools, from the empty houses last Thursday.

Last week's fight between the Wawewa Timur tribe and the rival Loli tribe killed at least 23 people.

The dispute between the warring groups was first recorded in 1960 over a land claim. Similar clashes for similar reasons were then recorded in 1970 and 1992.

Last week's killings were believed to have been triggered by suspicions that recruitment for jobs in the local administration was rigged.

People heard that some candidates who had not even sat the recent recruitment tests were given jobs, a staffer of the regency office said.

A demonstration was then staged in which the regent reportedly addressed demonstrators in a rude manner.

But a rumor to the effect that a Loli tribesman had been killed at a local market on Monday last week was believed to have prompted the killings. (yac/jun)