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Timorese refugees returned after clashes with locals

Source
Jakarta Post - January 4, 2001

Kupang – Following a clash between East Timorese refugees and local residents, hundreds of East Timorese refugees were returned to refugee camps, officials said on Wednesday. The refugees were returned to Noelbaki and Tuapukan refugee camps.

Kupang Regent I.A. Medah said the evacuation has been taking place since last Tuesday on the request of the East Timorese refugees. "We transported the refugees on 15 trucks to Noelbaki and Tuapukan. At the refugee camps, we will build police posts as an anticipation for further retaliation," Medah said.

Causes of the clash were still being investigated but many said that the incident was sparked by a brawl between East Timorese youths and local youths which then ended with a massive brawl and acts of arson.

During the clash, a total of 159 houses, belonging to locals, were burned. It is estimated that the clash has inflicted financial losses of about Rp 5 billion.

The refugees, mostly fled their homelands after the proindependence side won in the self-determination ballot last year, and had been placed in local transmigration projects in Poto and Sulamu villages.

The homeless local residents were now sheltering with their neighbors and received donations of food from the local government. "Many of the local residents ran to the forests in fear of the violence. But they are now gradually returning," Medah said as quoted by Antara.

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