Villagers clash over swallow nests

PADANG, West Sumatra: Dozens have been injured as residents of two neighboring districts in Solok, some 60 kilometers southeast of here, fought for the rights to a cave rich with swallow nests.

Four people were reportedly killed in clashes that erupted on Sunday and continued on Monday, but there was no confirmation from local authorities or hospitals. At least seven houses, a police truck and an ambulance were set afire during the melee involving residents of Sungai Pagu and Sangir districts. The cave lies in the border area of the two districts.

Witnesses said the masses armed themselves with homemade rifles, locally known as bedil balansa, and sharp weapons.

The violence broke out when some 1,000 armed people of Sangir went to Sungai Pagu following a rumor of an imminent attack by their rivals. "We initiated an assault before they did," one of the Sangir residents said.

Mass brawls exploded as hundreds of Sungai Pagu people blocked their Sangir rivals near a bridge that separates the two subdistricts. Some people escaped to forests, and their situation remains unclear.

Provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Didy Kusumayadi regretted the conflict. He expected the regency administration to quickly solve the dispute. (28)