Three die in fresh clash in Maluku

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

Fresh clashes have erupted in West Maluku Tenggara regency, Maluku on Friday, killing three people and injuring 51 others, police said on Monday.

According to chief of West Maluku Tenggara police, Comr. Pol. Rudi Heru Susanto, the clash between residents in Arma and Watmuri villages in Nirunmas district broke out on Friday, apparently triggered by conflict over the villages' sea border.

"The two villages have long had problems over their sea border. They are fighting over rights to collect sea cucumber in the conflict area," Rudi told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Friday's clash was the latest after a recent clash between the villagers in Dian Pulau and Dian Darat against Danar villagers in Maluku Tenggara regency, which killed one and injured 21 others.

The two villages, whose residents clashed on Friday, are separated by five-meter wide road and have a clear sea border. The villages are a six-hour journey from the town of Saumlaki, the capital of West Maluku Tenggara regency.

Rudi said the clash started during a clean-up drive at a community health center in Arma village on Wednesday. A minor incident upset some Watmuri villagers, and tension quickly escalated.

The clash erupted on Friday at 6 p.m. local time when Watmuri residents attacked Arma residents.

During the clash, an Arma villager died and 30 others were injured, while from Watmuri village two people died and 21 were injured.

"They were hit by blades, arrows and spears. Some are lightly injured but there are also some who were seriously injured in the incident. The victims are now being treated at a community health center in Nirunmas district," Rudi explained.

A medical team from West Maluku Tenggara regency would go to the villages on Tuesday to help treat the injured victims, he added.

In order to maintain security in the two villages, West Maluku Tenggara police has deployed 17 police officers and five Mobile Brigade personnel to the area.

Nirunmas district police have also deployed five officers to the border between two villages.

"Latest reports say that the situation in the two villages is under control. In the meantime, we'll investigate the case to find out who was responsible for the attack," he said.

As of Monday, he said, no villagers involved in the clash had been arrested. Police, he added, were still focusing on dealing with the security situation.