Conflict With 2 Villages In West Adonara, NTT, Police Stay Alert Even Though Conditions Are Reported Conducive

A number of police personnel at the night apple for patrols at the location of the conflict between residents in two villages on Adonara Island, East Flores. BETWEEN THE ANTARA/HO-Humas of the East Flores Police

Head of Public Relations of the NTT Police, Kombes Ariasandy, said the current situation in Ile Pati and Bugalima Villages, West Adonara District, East Flores Regency, was safe and conducive.

"We are still alerting members to carry out patrols along the village. People who previously fled are now starting to clean their houses with the help of the police chief and his members," Ariasandy told reporters in Kupang, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, October 23.

He said this was related to the development of conflicts between residents in two villages, namely Bugalima and Ile Pati, West Adonara District.

The conflict resulted in 51 houses being reportedly burned and one person died, and four people suffered gunshot wounds.

Ariasandy said joint police and TNI personnel had also been at the scene on Monday after the conflict broke out. In addition, the NTT Police also sent 96 joint personnel for operational control assistance (BKO) yesterday and will arrive on Wednesday (23/10) this morning.

"They will be under the control of the East Flores Police Chief to ensure optimal handling in the field," said Ariasandy.

The BKO personnel consist of members of Brimob, Samapta, Reskrim, Public Relations, Dokkes, and the HR team who play a role in trauma recovery, as well as additional personnel from the Sikka Police, Brimob Battalion B Sikka, and Ende Police.

After the previous clashes, TNI and Polri personnel were also involved in cleaning up the rubble of houses in Bugalima Village. This activity was led by the West Adonara police chief on Tuesday morning at 06.30 WITA, as a form of support for residents whose houses were burned down as a result of the incident.

The West Adonara Police Chief also visited residents to provide reinforcement and appeal to hand over the handling of this problem to the government and security forces.

Ariasandy also said that the impact of the conflict was that educational activities in the area were affected. There were three schools that were temporarily closed due to the impact of the incident.

Three schools in Bugalima Village, West Adonara District, namely PAUD St. Elisabeth, SD Inpres Bugalima, and SMPN SATAP Bugalima.