P

apua Governor Lukas Enembe threatened on Tuesday to dissolve Nduga regency and return it to its parent regency if the local administration failed to settle an ongoing conflict, in which seven people have been killed.

'If the Papua provincial administration has facilitated a peaceful resolution after the conflict and both clashing camps still cannot make peace, then the only solution is to dissolve Nduga regency,' Enembe said.

He added that the regency was created for the sake of public development. 'But if there is only conflict and no development for the people, there is no use for the regency's existence. It means the local administration has failed to manage the region.'

Nduga regency was separated from Jayawijaya regency on Jan. 4, 2008 based on Law No. 6/2008.

The conflict stemmed from Nduga Regent Yauris Gwijangge's plan to divide eight districts into 24 for a total of 32 districts as well as increase the number of villages from 32 to 211. The increased number of districts and villages aims to create electoral districts for the 2014 general election.

The Nduga Legislative Council has opposed the plan, saying it was based on fictitious data.

Meanwhile, Papua Police deputy chief Brig. Gen Paulus Waterpauw said the police had confiscated hundreds of traditional sharp weapons from both camps, causing clashes to stop.

Both camps clashed on May 30, killing four people in Wamena, the seat of Jayawijaya regency.