Seventeen people were killed and dozens injured when the supporters of
rival candidates in a local regent election clashed throughout Saturday
and Sunday in Ilaga district in Puncak Jaya regency, Papua.
The
groups attacked each other outside the local legislative council
building starting on Saturday afternoon around 2 p.m., using a variety
of weapons, including rocks and bows and arrows, according to police.
Several nearby houses and cars were set on fire during the continuing
mayhem.
Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono confirmed the number of people
slain in the violence, saying on Sunday that police officers had been
deployed to site to stop the fighting and evacuate the dead.
“The
incident took place in front of the local legislative council building.
The 17 victims died after being struck by arrows and stones,” he said
as quoted by Antara news agency.
Wachyono said that after much
hard work the police had finally restored order in Ilaga district
as
of Sunday, although as of Sunday evening 14 officers from the local
Mobile Brigade unit were
seen securing the local General Elections
Commission’s (KPUD) office and the Papua Police headquarters.
“The
situation is under control. If the weather is good, a platoon of Mobile
Brigade officers will be deployed on Monday,” Wahjono said as quoted by
kompas.com news portal on Sunday.
The violence erupted after the
local KPUD rejected a clarification request from one of the candidates,
Simon Alom.
Simon asked the local KPUD to clarify why his
candidacy for the Puncak Jaya regent’s election was rejected after one
of the parties backing his bid withdrew its support.
The
situation grew heated as Simon’s supporters immediately attacked the
supporters of his rival in the regency race, Elvis Tabuli, after
exchanging insults.
Thirteen of the dead were Simon supporters,
while the other four victims backed Elvis Tabuli,
according to
Antara news agency.