TIMIKA. A bloody clash between two groups  in Timika, Papua, has claimed one life and severely injured 28 others. The clash lasted two days.

The police said the situation remained critical as there were no signs of peace from the conflicting parties.

 “We are still trying to resolve the conflict between the two groups. We have invited traditional and religious figures to work hand-in-hand with us in solving this problem,” Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Pudjo Sulistyo said on Wednesday.

He said back-up personnel from the police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) in Kotaraja, Jayapura regency, had been deployed to help safeguard the city.

The dead man was identified as Pieter Fautngil, who died after being stabbed in the stomach and head. Timika has been described as being like a ghost town since the fighting broke out.

One local resident, Simsone, acknowledged he had no reason to stay out late. He said that during the clash, most residents went home early.(dic)

Editor: Asnil Amri