K

UPANG: Police have arrested 12 people who were allegedly involved in a clash between local residents and East Timorese refugees in Oebelo village, Central Kupang district, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara on Sunday evening.

However, Kupang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Dadang Suhendar said on Monday the 12 people had not been charged over the clash.

Dozens of people were wounded, two of them in a critical condition, in the riot. At least five houses were burned down while the main road connecting Kupang and Atambua is being blockaded by the two warring groups.

Dadang said dozens of police officers were deployed to guard the area to avoid further violence.

He said the incident was triggered by a fight between youths from the two groups.

Kupang Police deputy chief Comr. Benny Hutajulu, who arrived at the scene to appeal for calm, also became a target of the angry youths, suffering minor injuries.

Tension has gripped the town despite the local police's efforts to restore peace and order.

Local leaders urged authorities to guard the area until early January to anticipate further clashes during Christmas and New year.