15 Jul 2010

Clash in Indonesia's Papua leaves four dead

11:17 am on 15 July 2010

At least four people have been killed in a communal clash in Muara village in Indonesia's Papua province, which started on Saturday.

Local military commander, Colonel Daniel Ambulate, said on Tuesday two of the fatalities had been evacuated to the Jayapura hospital due to their severe wounds, but doctors could not save their lives.

He told the Jakarta Post the deaths triggered a retaliatory attack which claimed two lives.

He said the military was helping the police restore order in the outlying regency and prevent the fight from resuming.

A Papua police spokesman said the conflict had been triggered by a dispute between a couple from two different clans.