Jakarta – An unidentified group of people assaulted two journalists on Tuesday. The journalists were covering clashes between residents and police officers in Musi Rawas regency, South Sumatra, clashes in which four people have been shot dead.

A video camera carried by Jumadi Dedi, a Kompas TV journalist, was seized as he was taking footage of the clashes. Another journalist, Zainul, was also attacked receiving injuries to both hands. Their motorbike was also stolen.

Residents of Muara Rupit district blocked the Trans-Sumatra Highway on Tuesday following bloody clashes with the police.

The clashes were sparked on Monday by the road blockade, which was being held in protest at the absence of a clear government program to establish a new regency, North Musi Rawas. The action caused severe traffic congestion along the highway, which links South Sumatra and Jambi.

Dedi said that the assault took place at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The two journalists went to the location of the clashes when suddenly a group of about ten armed men intercepted them on motorcycles.

"When we were on our motorcycle all of a sudden we were confronted by a group of people, and straight away they assaulted us with sharp weapons cutting Zainul's hands," Dedi said via cellular phone, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Dedi said that he and Zainul were rescued by local residents near a plantation in Noan Baru village, Rupit district, Musi Rawas regency.

The two journalists have reported the incident to Rupit Police precinct. (asw)