Jayapura – Military and police personnel totaling 800 have been deployed to Timika, Papua, to secure the region after a tribal conflict in Kwamki Narama district on Sunday.
"Four hundred military personnel and 400 police officials have searched the area to find residents who took part in the clash," said Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Yustanto Mujiharso on Monday.
Clashes between tribes in the country's easternmost region often occur and sometimes take days to end. The causes of such conflicts can stem from mundane activities such as disputes over ball games to tax collection.
The clash that erupted on Sunday led to three deaths and 17 houses burned down. More than 300 residents fled their homes to Jayapura to avoid the conflict. Dozens of cars and motorcycles were also damaged during the riot.
Yustanto said such clashes, often referred to as tribal war, should be ended. He also said law would be enforced on those who took part in killings and vandalism.
The police are targeting to arrest all perpetrators within a week.