Timeline of Village Clashes in Tual, Maluku, Resulting in Police Chief Being Hit by Arrow

Timeline of Village Clashes in Tual, Maluku, Leading to the Police Chief Being Hit by an Arrow

Residents of Fiditan Baru and Fiditan Lama villages, Dullah Utara sub-district, Tual City, Maluku, were involved in clashes, resulting in the Tual City Police Chief being injured after being hit by an arrow.

The incident began when residents of the two neighbouring villages took to the streets and gathered at the border on Tuesday (24 February) at 16:59 WIT. They then attacked each other with weapons such as bows and arrows, machetes, and Molotov cocktails.

The Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Rositah Umasugi, stated that the Deputy Chief of Police of Tual, Kompol Roni F. Manawan, along with riot control personnel, went to the location to persuade the crowd to end the clashes.

However, as the clashes became increasingly uncontrollable, the police were forced to fire tear gas.

The Chief of Police of Tual, AKBP Whansi Des Asmoro, then took over command of the field to ensure a more measured response.

During the attempt to mediate, Asmoro was hit by an arrow in the left knee.

In addition to the Police Chief, a 19-year-old resident of Fiditan Kampung Baru was also reported to have suffered injuries to his leg.

“Both were immediately evacuated to the Karel Sadsuitubun Regional General Hospital for medical treatment,” Rositah said in a written statement.

Rositah added that to prevent further clashes, they deployed reinforcements from Yon C Pelopor, a unit of the Maluku Police Mobile Brigade. They are closely guarding the two locations where the clashes occurred.

Finally, the situation in the border area of the villages gradually improved around 18:10 WIT. The crowds from both villages returned to their respective homes.

Although the situation is claimed to be under control, security forces remain on standby to ensure that the situation remains stable and to anticipate potential provocations.

The TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), Polri (Indonesian National Police), along with village government officials and representatives of youth from the two conflicting villages, held a meeting. The meeting was held to improve communication, de-escalate emotions, and seek peaceful solutions based on musyawarah (deliberation).

“Currently, the situation in the Fiditan area or the village border is being monitored as safe and under control. Security forces, along with community leaders, continue to take a humanistic approach to maintain stability and preserve social harmony in Tual City,” said Rositah.

(sai/dal) [Image: CNN Video]