Around one-hundred people are believed to have been detained by authorities in East Timor, following more than a week of unrest. Church sources say rioting was sparked by military heavyhandedness in the Viqueque district.

Indonesia correspondent Michael Maher reports:

East Timor's Catholic Bishop and Nobel laureate, Carlos Belo, has reportedly formed a committee with the armed forces commander in charge of security in the troubled territory to look into allegations of military abuses in the Viqueque district. Tensions in Viqueque have been on the rise since the beginning of this month as a result of conflict between the local community and soldiers.

Church sources say a Catholic community centre was recently raided by the military and some 40 people arrested. There have also been unconfirmed reports that a number of youths have been wounded after being fired on by troops. Church sources also say that a number of military vehicles have been destroyed in the unrest.

Michael Maher, Jakarta.