The police investigators have questioned eight people and named them as suspects.Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The East Flores Police have named eight as suspects in a tribal clash that claimed six lives in Adonara Island, East Nusa Tenggara.
"The police investigators have interrogated eight people and named them as suspects," East Flores Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Deny Abrahams noted in a brief message to ANTARA here on Saturday.
Abrahams pointed to the possibility of more suspects in the case.
According to Abrahams, the East Flores Police and East Nusa Tenggara Police had continued investigation at the scene and secured the location.
"We will handle the case professionally," he remarked.
Abrahams called on the public, especially families of the victims, to maintain public order and to allow the police to handle the case.
The eight suspects are identified by their initials as RT (54), TT (58), RT (30), TST (25), POT (70), SB (31), MB (31), and H (62), all of whom are the residents of Sandosi Village, Witihama Sub-district, in Adonara Island.
A tribal clash broke out in Sandosi Village on March 5 at around 10 a.m. local time during which six lives were lost. The clash was ignited by a land dispute in Wulen Wata, Bani, Sandosi Village.
The six victims are identified by their initials as MKK (80), YMS (70), YOT (56), and SR (68) from the Kewaelaga tribe and YH (70) and WK (80) from the Lamatokan tribe.
The police have worked closely with the village head and local figures to maintain a conducive situation in the area.
In addition to personnel from the East Flores Police, the authority had deployed 100 personnel from other regions, including Lembata and Sikka, as well as the police mobile brigade. Related news: Police apprehend eight over Adonara tribal clash
Related news: Situation in Sandosi stable after six die in tribal clash
Translator: Bernadus Tokan, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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