I will ask my staff to leave for Papua to verify the victims in effort to hand over the compensation."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Sports Minister Roy Suryo has asked the National Police to conduct thorough investigation over riot in amateur boxing match in Nabire District, Papua that occurred on Sunday night (July 14).

"We, in the Youth and Sports Ministry, deeply regret over the riot that occurred at the closing of the Bupati Cup Isayas Daud boxing championship, and we ask the national police to investigate it," the minister said here on Monday.

According to him, at least 17 people were killed and 39 others injured in the riot.

He said his office will hand over compensation for the victims in the form of medical costs.

"I will ask my staff to leave for Papua to verify the victims in effort to hand over the compensation," Roy said, adding that he has communicated with several related parties including with the boxing match organizers.

The minister said, the sports hall capacity is only for 800 people, but around 1,500 people came into the building with two open gates.

Meanwhile, Nabire police chief Adj. Sr. Comr Bahara Marpaung said

most of the casualties, dominated by women, were caused by being trampled on by people in the building and the door.

Women spectators made up 11 of the dead with men making up 7, Bahara said.

Chief of Public Relations Division of the national police (Polri) Inspector General Ronny F Sompie said on Monday, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police deployed at least 1,250 personnel to secure Nabire District following a clash between rival supporters during a boxing competition at Sport Center Building of Kota Lama Nabire, Papua Province on Sunday evening.

"The situation in Nabire on Monday morning was conducive," he said on Monday.

In addition, the National Police chief General Timur Pradopo said "Eleven witnesses are still being questioned. The Papua regional police command`s chief has been in Nabire and since 12.00 hours the situation has been controlled."

(Reporting by Azis Kurmala/B003/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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