Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – Tensions on the border of Ngada and Manggarai regencies in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, were still high Thursday in the wake of an arson attack on a church following a land dispute between residents of both areas.
The attack, which took place Sunday morning in Benteng Tawa village, Riung Barat district, in Manggarai, was believed to be sparked by frustration over a prolonged border dispute.
Local police identified the perpetrators, but have yet to detain anyone for questioning. "We believe we have identified the perpetrators. We will arrest them, as well as the instigators, once we have enough evidence," Ngada Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sugeng Kurniaji said Thursday.
"The arson attack was most likely intended to provoke residents involved in the land dispute. Police personnel moved in quickly to diffuse the situation," he said.
The border conflict has persisted since 1972. The Ngada regency administration has provided public services to the residents thus far, but those living in the area consider themselves Manggarai residents.
"This is the main issue – residents living in the disputed area come from the Bar clan in Manggarai, but they live in Ngada," a source told The Jakarta Post.
Assistant of administrative affairs at the East Nusa Tenggara secretariat office Yoseph Mamulak, when contacted in Kupang, said the Directorate General of Regional Autonomy at the Home Affairs Ministry had previously facilitated a meeting between both disputing regency administrations, but they each claimed authority over the disputed area.
"The latest meeting was held in June, but no solution was reached. The Home Affairs Ministry has now given authority to the governor to resolve the issue," said Mamulak, who was appointed head of the border dispute resolution task force by Governor Piet A Tallo.
Mamulak said his office will visit the area in the near future and hold a dialogue with the disputing parties, including both regents. "We hope the land dispute will be resolved... a church has already been razed and residents have (in the past) blockaded roads," he said.
Ngada Regent Nikolaus Dopo expressed hope the mediating team would go to the location soon to determine the boundary between both regencies.