"The situation is now under control. The Papua provincial police and regional military command met with social figures there, and the problem is resolved. There was a misunderstanding, but I think they want to reconcile," Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Tedjo Edhi Purdjiatno stated here on Tuesday.
The misunderstanding led to the clash when residents attacked the local police and military command stations, he added.
"There were retaliations. I dont know the source of the explosion. We are investigating it now. From the results of the investigation, we hope we can identify the source of the explosion, the kind of weapons used, and the type and source of bullets and ballistics used. We also hope the incident does not recur," Purdjiatno noted.
Moreover, the coordinating minister assured that the police stay at the forefront of efforts to maintain security at home.
Four civilians were killed and six security personnel sustained injuries when hundreds of residents attacked a military post and police office in Enarotali, Paniai district, on Monday.
A spokesman of the Papua provincial police, Snr. Comsr. Sulistyo Pudjo, revealed on Monday evening that the root cause of the attacks was still unknown.
"According to information from the people, four civilians died, while three soldiers and three policemen were injured. The police still cannot establish the root cause of the attack. However, a communal fight that involved unidentified people took place on Sunday at about 8.00 p. m. local time," he affirmed.
Besides attacking the military and police precincts, the mob also set fire to the general election commission office, he pointed out, adding that a number of people and six security personnel sustained injuries after the mob pelted stones at them.
The attacks on Monday happened following a street fight among local residents in Pondok Natal in the Gunung Merah area of Enarotali on Sunday evening, he affirmed.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
