Four people were killed and almost 100 were injured in Papua as the supporters of rival candidates in Tolikara regency’s election clashed on Feb. 15.
The violence ensued when one candidate’s campaign post was set on fire by rival supporters. The Tolikara office of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and several other buildings were also torched.
“Thirty-five buildings were burned, including the house of the former Tolikara regent, and the house of John Tabo, a candidate running in the election,” Papua Police deputy chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw told reporters in Jayapura on Monday.
“A number of other buildings were also razed by supporters of the other candidates,” he added.
Waterpauw said that the Papua Police had only deployed two companies of police officers and an Indonesian Military (TNI) unit to Tolikara to prevent the situation from escalating due to limited personnel and difficulties in reaching the remote regency.
Limited food supplies in Tolikara also reportedly led to rampant looting of homes abandoned by owners fleeing the violence.
Waterpauw said that the clashes were over as of Sunday, but the situation in the regency capital of Karubaga remained tense.
“There were no activities at the offices or schools,” Waterpauw said. Most residents were staying indoors or have fled the area and the Tolikara Legislative Council has been unable to convene a plenary meeting.
The police would try bring the rival groups together for a mediation meeting so that the election could resume, he added.
Waterpauw urged traditional, community and religious leaders in Tolikara to refrain from hostilities and to persuade their followers to stop fighting.
Meanwhile, victims of the mayhem, some injured by arrows and edged weapons, were currently under treatment at Dok II Hospital.
“Fifty-two of those slightly injured have been released from the hospital and 17 others suffering from severe injuries are still being treated at the Dok II regency hospital,” said hospital director Octovianus Peday.
The victims’ medical expenses would be covered by the Papuan Native Community Health Insurance (Jamkespa), he said.
Peday said six of those who were severely injured had undergone surgery.
The conflict in Tolikara involved supporters of two campaigns running in the regency’s election: Usman Wanimbo-Amos Yikwa and John Tabo-Edy Suyanto.
In an earlier incident, two candidates in Puncak regency’s election, Elvis Tabuni and Simon Alom, were arrested by the Papua Police on Feb. 8 in connection with a conflict between their supporters that claimed 46 lives in July 2011.
“Both were arrested and named suspects for violating Article 160 of the Criminal Code on subversion and assault,” Waterpauw said.