The Jakarta Post, June 08, 2004
Dozens more people injured in Timika tribal violence
Nethy Dharma Somba, Timika
Fears a tribal conflict in Papua could end in a bloodbath grew on Monday after 45
people were injured on the third day of fighting on the outskirts of the southern town of
Timika.
The conflict began at 7:30 a.m. when about 3,000 Nduga and Damal tribesmen battled
with spears and bows and arrows in the Old Kwamki village, about 10 kilometers north
of Timika, on the south coast of Papua.
The clash ended three hours later, when hundreds of police managed to separate the
warring parties after earlier firing warning shots over the crowd.
One police officer was injured in the melee, while the other 44 victims were tribesmen,
bringing the total number of injured in the conflict to 88. Two tribesmen died on the
first day of fighting, which had begun as a family feud.
After the clash, Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Timbul Silaen visited the warring
leaders to try and mediate an end to the violence.
Damal tribal leader Helminus Murib told Timbul the war would end when casualties on
both sides became equal.
Referring to the killing that allegedly started the conflict, he said the Damal tribe had
lost two people to the fighting while their enemies, the Nduga, had only lost one.
Traditional laws regulating inter-tribal war had been upheld for years in Papua and
Indonesian justice could not be expected to resolve the clash, he said.
Decky Murib from the Nduga tribe said his people were ready to face the Damal,
either in war or peace. "If they want to continue the battle, we will be ready for them.
Otherwise, we are ready for peace -- if they are willing to make it happen," Decky
said.
Helminus said he would discuss making peace with the family of Mathius Murib, who
was killed last month by a member of the Nduga tribe.
Helminus said by Tuesday (today), the tribe would have made a decision on the
matter.
Timbul, meanwhile, called for the Nduga to compensate the Damal for the death of
Mathius -- with livestock, by hosting a feast or providing other valuables. "We hope
that (the Damal) can come up with the best solution so that the conflict will wind
down," Timbul said.
The roots of the clash are controversial. Mathius died after he was allegedly shot with
an arrow by Jimmy Murib of the Nduga tribe, in the Jayanti residential complex in
Timika.
Jimmy allegedly killed Mathius, because he believed Mathius had killed Jimmy's
niece, Novi Kum.
However, police said Novi had committed suicide by drinking poison.
The family of Mathius, backed by his tribe, did not accept the verdict and attacked
Jimmy and his tribesmen. The fighting resulted in the death of Pendeman Alom of the
Nduga and Jumar Murib of the Damal.
Battles between tribes are not uncommon in Papua, Indonesia's most easternmost
province.
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
