Two Customary Groups in Manggarai Nearly Clash Over Disputed Communal Land

Two customary community groups in Bulan Village, Ruteng District, Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) nearly engaged in a violent clash on Monday, 16 March 2026. The groups were residents of Gendang Bung Leko and Gendang Bung Kaca, and they were disputing ownership of communal land.

The two groups of people, carrying sharp weapons, had already positioned themselves opposite each other on the roadway. They were separated by approximately three metres. Fortunately, security officials arrived swiftly at the location to prevent the confrontation.

“There was no collision; the distance between the Bung Kaca and Bung Leko factions was still approximately 2–3 metres,” said Bulan Village Head Yuvensianus Hamat.

“The cause was a plot of land that was disputed by Gendang Bung Leko and Bung Kaca, with each claiming rightful ownership of that land,” he continued.

Yuvens explained that the incident began when residents of Gendang Kaca returned from the disputed land. They were travelling towards Gendang. Upon learning that Gendang Bung Kaca residents had visited the disputed land, the residents of Gendang Bung Leko hastened to the disputed location.

The two groups then met on the road and nearly clashed violently. The Bulan Village Government and security officials succeeded in separating them and directing both groups to return to their respective gendang (traditional houses).

“We managed to separate them so they would return to their respective gendang (traditional houses) to ensure the safety of their residents,” said Yuvens.

He stated that Police Chief AKBP Levi Defriansyah, Head of Intelligence and Security Iptu Adrianus Gon, representatives of the Manggarai Regional Government, the Ruteng District Government, and the Bulan Village Government met with each of these groups at their respective gendang.

“To provide warnings about public order and security so that each party would defuse the situation,” said Yuvens.

Both parties were asked to temporarily refrain from using the disputed land until the matter was fully resolved. Resolution of the issue is expected to be handled at the Manggarai district level.