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Papuan tribe fights over rape compo

Source
The Australian - January 7, 2010

Jakarta – Tribesman have resorted to arrows, slingshots and other traditional weapons in clashes over compensation for a rape in the Indonesian province of Papua.

At least 31 people were injured yesterday as violence involving hundreds of people entered a third day in Kwamki Lama, a regency in Mimika that boasts one of the world's richest goldmines.

One tribe member, Albert Mom, was killed on Tuesday. At least one police officer was injured by an arrow, reports said.

Mimika police deputy chief commander Jeremias Rontini was quoted as saying the clashes flared over unpaid compensation demanded by one village for a rape allegedly committed by a member of another village six months ago.

The violence erupted on Monday near the goldmine run by the US-based Freeport McMoran.

The seven tribes in Mimika had avoided violence since a 2008 peace deal, which included the creation of "peace statue".

"All the problems in Mimika should be solved according to the law," said Mimika Legislative Council acting speaker Trifena Tinaly.

"The groups have built a peace statue and agreed to settle the problem through the law." (Agencies)

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