At least 17 dead as rival political groups clash in eastern Indonesia

[News_Editor]

At least 17 dead as rival political groups clash in eastern Indonesia

2011-08-01 00:19:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

PAPUA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 17 people were killed on Sunday in a clash between two rival political groups in Indonesia's easternmost Papua province, police said.

The clash occurred early in the morning between supporters of rival politicians in the district of Puncak outside of the Puncak Papua Regional Representatives Council (DPRD) office, according to the Jakarta Globe newspaper. Papua Police spokesman Wachyono said that dozens of people were badly injured, while several houses and buildings were set on fire.

Wachyono told the newspaper that, based on initial information, the brawl was between supporters of Elvis Tabuni, the speaker of the DPRD, and supporters of Simon Alom, who is leading the transitional process during the establishment of the district. He added: "As a result of the brawl, 13 supporters of Elvis Tabuni were killed while four people from the Simon Alom side died."

Police have not been able to establish the cause of the clash since they have been struggling to obtain more information due to the remoteness of the area and poor infrastructure, the Jakarta Globe reported. The area is about a one-hour flight from the provincial capital of Jayapura and is inaccessible by land.

Sunday's incident is the first to hit the newly established district, which is holding its first election this year. Elvis and Simon are both contending for the post of district head, which has been vacant since May after Recky Ambrauw was arrested over allegations of falsifying a gubernatorial decree on his appointment as head of the district.

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