192 residents evacuated after clashes in South Lampung

The Jakarta Post, Lampung Tue, October 30 2012,


The police have evacuated 192 residents of Balinuraga hamlet to Kemiling State Police School (SPN) in Bandar Lampung after violent clashes between groups from the two villages in South Lampung regency that have taken place since Sunday.

The clashes have claimed at least six lives, injuring three people and resulted in 16 houses being burned down.

"For now we have evacuated 192 people, mostly children, women and elderly people," said Lampung Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Sulistyaningsih on Tuesday as quoted by Kompas.com.

Most residents of Balinuraga in Way Panji district and Agom hamlet in Kalianda district, South Lampung are still afraid of leaving their homes or going about their daily activities.

"We're evacuating our family. We are afraid there will be a counterattack from Balinuraga," said Yono, an Agom resident.

According to National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar, about 1,500 police personnel have been deployed to the location.

"We are on full alert," said Boy on Tuesday.

The police are still looking for the alleged mastermind behind the clashes, which began after men from Balinuraga upset two young women from neighboring Agom. The incident resulted in hundreds of Agom residents attacking Balinuraga and burning down several houses on Sunday and Monday.

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Death toll in S. Lampung clashes reaches 14


The death toll in recent clashes between residents of Agom and Balinuraga villages in South Lampung regency has reached 14, according to South Lampung Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Tatar Nugroho.

He said Tuesday that four victims were killed during the first clash on Sunday and the rest were killed during a clash the following day.

“Sunday’s clash initially claimed three lives with one critically injured. The injured victim finally succumbed to his injuries on Monday at the Bandar Lampung Hospital,” Tatar said.

He added that four victims were residents of Agom village in Kalianda district, while the other 10 were from Balinuraga village in Way Panji district.