Manokwari ‘calm’ after resident clash

The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Monday December 30 2013,


The situation in Manokwari, the capital of West Papua, is calm once again after a clash between residents occurred on Sunday, but many kiosks and stores have not yet resumed their activities.

“The situation has calmed down and no more clashes have occurred. Many security officers remain on guard,” Anis, a Manokwari resident, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

However, most Manokwari people are still afraid to return to their activities despite the situation being relatively quiet.

“Markets are not yet open to the public. Kiosks and stores nearby the incident site last night have not yet resumed their normal activities. This is really disrupting the activities of those who want to go shopping,” Yan Christian Warinussy, a legal expert from Manokwari, told the Post.

As earlier reported, a clash between Manokwari residents erupted in Sanggeng Market at 10:30 p.m. local time on Sunday. The incident began when a local resident, reportedly drunk, asked Zainuddin, a kiosk owner in the market, to give him some money. He insisted on entering the kiosk even though he had already been given the money, inciting a clash between residents.

Two people – La Amin and Yansen Maryen – died in the clash.

“La Amin died after he was tortured by a group of people who were allegedly drunk. He was taken to the Navy Hospital [RSAL] but did not survive,” said Papua Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Pudjo Sulistio. Meanwhile, Yansen’s body was found near Sanggeng Market after security officers broke up the fight.

Yan said the police must take tough action and bring the perpetrators to justice. “The perpetrators must be held responsible. There must be a tough action taken against those who took the lives of others,” he said.



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