Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Police are attempting to persuade two quarreling tribes in Yoparu village, Paniai, Papua, to end their bloody clash, in which nine people have been killed and dozens of others wounded.

Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Kartono Wangsadisastra said Monday that traditional approaches had been used to nudge the two groups toward a peace deal. However, the efforts have been hindered by the fact that several noted figures from the Kobogau tribe do not want peace, Kartono said.

"The reason is that the number of casualties from their tribe is still bigger than at the Sani tribe," Kartono said. There are five dead from the Kobogau tribe and four from the Sani.

Papua Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Max D Aer said Sunday that the violence was sparked by the death of a local teacher named Hendrikus, 30.

The man's family, who are from the Sani clan, believed Hendrikus was poisoned by members of the Kobogau clan, Max said. The Sani then demanded the traditional penalty of "a head for a head". When the demand was turned down, the violence erupted.

Kartono said there was no need to deploy more security officers to the site, because existing officers had succeeded in separating the two opposing tribes and preventing them from continuing their war.

"There are no more clashes at present... the officers are busy persuading them to begin peace negotiations," he said, adding that the efforts were personally led by Paniai police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Anthon Diance.

Kartono further explained that the Yoparu violence was not a tribal war, but simply a clash between two clans. He said despite the persuasive measures, those provoking the war would still be subject to the legal process.