Maluku Regional Police Deploy Additional Personnel to Secure Tual Clash

Head of Public Relations of the Maluku Police, Kombes M. Roem Ohoirat/ANTARA

AMBON - The Maluku Regional Police deployed additional personnel to secure clashes between residents in Tual City, Maluku.

Maluku Police Public Relations Head Commissioner M. Roem Ohoirat said the Maluku Police shifted 30 Brimob troops from Kei Besar to Tual City to assist in security.

Later today, approximately 70 Raider Infantry Battalions and 733/Masariku troops were deployed.

"Tomorrow a Brimob platoon from the Aru Police will also depart for Tual. Then from Ambon, there are two platoons, namely a Brimob platoon, then a Sabhara platoon", said Roem, in Ambon reported by ANTARA, Thursday, February 2.

This incident of conflict between residents began on January 28, 2023, when a food stall owner was assaulted by a group of people who were drunk and did not pay. As a result of the abuse, the victim's family did not accept it, causing problems.

Then on January 31 at 22.00 WIT, one of the residents was suddenly hit by an arrow by an unknown person. As a result of this incident, there were provocations by other groups of residents, then they carried out counterattacks.

Roem said, at 06.45 WIT this morning, there was another attack between residents which resulted in a riot and added to the number of injured victims. Among them are two personnel, namely the Head of Ops for the Tual Police, Commissioner Arsad Rengur, and Danton Dalmas.

"Indeed, what happened yesterday had calmed down, but clashes broke out again this morning, this is what we are very sorry about. And as a result of the clash earlier, several people were injured again by arrows", said Roem.

Based on data from the public hospital in Tual, continued Roem, so far 33 people have been treated as a result of clashes, plus five personnel.

According to Roem, currently, the situation in Tual City is getting back to normal. Security has been strictly enforced. He added that the Maluku Regional Police Chief had also ordered the Maluku Regional Police Criminal Investigation Directorate to go to the location of the conflict to take legal action.

"What is certain is that those involved in security there is the Mobile Brigade unit, then the Tual Police, then there are additional members from the Southeast Maluku Police, then there are also colleagues from the army, navy and air force. These are both at the TKP and providing security there", he said.