Two Villages in West Manggarai Clash Twice Over Disputed Customary Land

Residents of Kampung Rareng and Mbehal have clashed over land in Lengkong Warang, Tanjung Boleng Village, Boleng District, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. The conflict was triggered by a long-standing dispute over customary land.

Tanjung Boleng Village Head Sukardin stated that clashes between the two villages have now occurred twice. Various mediation efforts have been undertaken but have yet to yield an agreement.

“It has happened twice, including yesterday,” Sukardin said on Thursday (30/7/2026).

According to Sukardin, residents of the two villages, which are located more than ten kilometres apart, each claim ownership of the customary land at the site.

Sukardin said the Boleng District Government attempted to mediate the dispute in 2025. However, the mediation failed because one of the parties did not attend.

“There was a mediation at the District Office, but the Mbehal side did not show up,” Sukardin explained.

Boleng District Head Yohanes Suhardi also issued a letter to both parties regarding the land dispute. In the letter dated 30 June 2025, shared by Sukardin, the Boleng District Government prohibited both parties from conducting any activities on the disputed land until a further decision is made.

Additionally, both parties were instructed to remove any signboards erected on the disputed land.

The clash involving hundreds of residents from the two villages occurred on Wednesday morning. Two pickup trucks and three motorcycles were set ablaze during the incident.

Several huts were also torn down. There were no fatalities in the clash.

The disputed land is located approximately a 30-minute drive from Labuan Bajo. The area lies on either side of the Flores North Coast Road. The land is relatively flat, with an estimated area of tens of hectares.

The area and its surroundings are part of a new tourism development zone for Labuan Bajo. Agrarian conflicts have recently become more frequent in the region.