Three injured in fight over church leadership

Hundreds of people from two rival groups traded arrows in a fight over leadership at the Jayapura Baptist Church on Friday, leaving three congregation members injured, kompas.com reported.

Police who were called to restore order fired warning shots to break up the clash, which also caused damages to a theology school building and several houses nearby the church.

“We will take tougher measures against any group that endangers the safety of other people,” Jayapura police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Imam Setiawan said.

Around 100 followers of former church leader Sofyan Socratez Yoman stood on guard on Jl. Jeruk Nipis near the church, while their rivals fled to the jungle just behind the theology school building.

The dispute between Yoman and his successor Pirenus Kogoya has been ongoing since 2003.