Tension remains high in warring Lombok villages

Tension remains high in warring Lombok villages

JAKARTA (JP): Security forces were still tightly guarding the
warring villages of Bongor and Parampuan in the resort island of
Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) on Thursday, following two days
of brawls which killed at least nine people and injured scores of
others.

"Most of the victims suffered slash wounds and one identified
fatality, named Helmi of Bongor village, was killed due to a
gunshot wound from an assembled gun," NTB Police spokeswoman
Adjutant Comr. Tri Budi Pangastuti told The Jakarta Post from
Mataram the capital of West Nusa Tenggara later on Thursday.

The brawl between both camps of villagers -- located at Lombok
Barat regency -- began at noon on Wednesday and continued until
Thursday morning.

Three platoons of Police Patrol Units (Sabhara) and the Mobile
Brigade, plus additional troops from NTB Police have been
deployed to the site of the incident, which is about five
kilometers away from Mataram or 11 kilometers away from the
coastal resort area of Senggigi.

An additional three military platoons are also ready to back
up the police, Wira Bhakti Military Resort Commander Col. Soeseno
said as quoted by Antara later in the day.

Officer Tri further revealed that details on the other eight
fatalities have not yet been received. "Both camps are still
being reticent on the matter, but we're trying to identify them."

It is customary for warring villages in Lombok to hide
casualties after a fray apparently to cover the losses.

The melee broke out after four residents of Parampuan village
were ambushed by thugs from Bongor, a neighboring hamlet.

The neighboring villages are located in different districts,
Bongor is in Gerung district while Parampuan village is in
Labuapi district.

"The four were riding a Cidomo (horse cart) when they were
intercepted. Parampuan villagers heard about the incident and
stormed Bongor village, damaging several houses and killing a
local in the process," she said.

Police received reports about the incident around 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday and managed to curb further violence until early
Thursday.

"But at 5:05 a.m. Thursday fresh clashes broke out and the two
camps attacked each other with homemade guns, machetes and other
traditional weapons," the officer said.

At least eight people were killed in the confrontation on
Thursday.

Tension still gripped the warring villages on Thursday
evening. Villagers of Bongor led by M. Yahya grouped their
traditional security guards Pamswakarsa Amphibi to meet NTB
Deputy Police Chief Comr. Fachruddin Bakar earlier in the day to
discuss the incident.

"We will not be arrogant or retaliate for their (Parampuan
villagers) actions leading to the death of Helmi (on
Wednesday) ... we'll leave the matter to the police," Yahya said
as quoted by the news agency.

Early last month, one person was killed in clashes between
residents of the two villages, in which Bongor villagers accused
a resident of Parampuan of stealing a radio communications unit
belonging to a Bongor neighborhood security guard.

Head of NTB Police Detective Adjutant to Chief Comr. I Gusti
Kesuma further said that the incident had not affected tourist
activities in the Senggigi coastal area.

"Luckily all troops are available as they are still overseeing
security for the post festive season. We also have alerted the
intelligence unit to monitor the situation," Kesuma said.

NTB Police chief Brig. Gen. Jonny Yodjana and Udayana Military
Commander Maj. Gen. Willem Theodorus Da Costa urged people to
calm down and not to be easily provoked.

"We have reported the matter to the Bali Police and are
coordinating with them so anytime we need back up, they'll be
ready," Yodjana said as quoted by the news agency.

A duty officer at Sheraton Hotel in Senggigi, however, said
that the situation was normal on Thursday. "Everything is going
on as usual here and the guests are fine," he said. (edt)