Viral Clashes Between Residents Occurred In Basipae, NTT

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Clashes between residents broke out in Pubabu Besipae, South Amanuban District, South Central Timor Regency, Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Thursday, October 15.

Pubabu Besipae resident, Niko Manao, when confirmed, revealed the clash between residents that had just happened in Besipae and was recorded in a video that has been circulating on social media.

"There are dozens of people who came to attack the Pubabu Besipae, they are known from Pollo village," he said, claiming to have witnessed and experienced the clash of events reported by Antara.

Niko Manao explained that the masses who came to attack were dozens of people who were transported by one truck and two pick-ups. According to Niko Mano, 37 heads of families living in the land in Pubabu Besipae were attacked by the mob who came from a neighboring village.

"Many residents were injured. Women and parents were also beaten and pelted," he said.

He said that until now the condition was not conducive because residents were still scattered to save themselves and some of them were not yet known.

The clash between residents was recorded in a video circulating on social media.

In the 20-second video, a number of residents were seen arguing in a lopo building which was followed by attacks using their hands or wood from a number of residents against other residents.

Residents who were hit by wood then fled while being chased by several people who were colored by the sound of screaming for help repeatedly.

The head of the South Central Timor Police, AKBP Arya Sandi, when contacted separately, confirmed that there was a conflict between residents in Pubabu Besipae.

"It is true that there was a conflict between residents in Besipae at around 10.00 WITA, between Besipae residents and residents who came to work on the Besipae land," he said.

He said that his party had coordinated with the leadership of the TNI apparatus in the local area to deploy personnel to provide security and to anticipate further clashes.

Previously, on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, conflicts over land also broke out again between officials from the NTT Provincial Government and residents of Pubabu Besipae.