183 Residents From Sumba NTT Evacuated To Bima Social Service After Riots At Tente Market

A number of residents of Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara were evacuated to the Bima Regency Social Service office by the Bima Regency integrated evacuation handling team, Wednesday (15/1/2025) night. (ANTARA/Prokopim Setda Bima Regency).

A total of 183 residents from Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) were evacuated to the Bima Regency Social Service (Dinsos) office after the riot incident that occurred at Tente Market on Wednesday night.

"They were evacuated after previously being evacuated at the Woha Police Station due to the riots that occurred at Pasar Raya Tente," said Head of the Prokopim Section of the Bima Regional Secretariat Suryudin in a written statement, Antara, Thursday, January 16.

He said the riot was suspected to be the aftermath of a sexual harassment case by a Sumba resident to market visitors.

"The Bima Regency Government (Pemkab) together with the Woha District Muspika and the security forces work hand in hand to carry out the post-incident integrated handling," he said.

"Integrated handling is carried out to ensure safety, provide better access to health services, food, and other basic needs and ensure that people's lives can return to normal as usual," continued Suryudin.

As part of efforts to protect and recover, he continued, residents affected by this social conflict had also been temporarily evacuated and a tent from the Bima District Social Service office was built.

"The Social Service is also coordinating the construction of a public kitchen in the field," he said.

He further explained that other support, namely the Health Office, continues to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure optimal health care for affected residents through health services to affected residents.

In addition, efforts to support the recovery of psychosocial conditions for the affected communities are also being carried out. The BPBD disaster emergency response team prepares clean water, logistics for disaster response and trauma recovery.

"Security and security support were also provided, based on the results of the coordination meeting of the Woha District Muspika (Camat, Danramil and Kapolsek)," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Head of BPBD Bima Isyrah said that residents consisting of children, teenagers and parents had to be evacuated because the shelter room at the Mapolsek was inadequate.

"In detail, 103 people were evacuated to the Bima Social Service Office, and 80 people were evacuated at the Bima Police Headquarters," he said.

According to him, in two refugee camps a post has been built for residents who are afraid of further action from residents and families of victims of sexual harassment in Bima.

"For food and drink needs, the refugees are guaranteed to be safe. These needs are fully borne by the government and there are also self-help from related parties," explained Isyrah.

Previously, a group of residents in Tente Village, Woha District, burned down a number of two-wheeled vehicles belonging to residents from Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The incident occurred at the Pasar Raya Tente complex, Woha District on Wednesday (15/1) at around 10:00 WITA.