TEMPO.CO, Bima – A clash broke out between residents of Wane and Rato villages in Perado district, Bima regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) on Tuesday night, February 24, 2015. A local named Ahmad Mbuku, 37, was killed in the fight after being slashed with a bladed weapon.

The situation at the fighting scene remains tense to date, with residents from both villages blockading the roads connecting the villages to the other villages in Perado district and outside of Bima.

“Yes, there was a fight between villagers and roads have been blockaded,” Abdul Samad, the secretary to Belo district chief, told Tempo on Wednesday, February 25, 2015.

Scores of joint personnel from the military and the police are still guarding the area while trying to mediate between two warring villages. The residents, however, still attempted to wage another battle—arming themselves with machetes, lances and arrows.

The fighting broke out following the Tuesday protest staged at around 11 a.m. by college students to commemorate the riot that took place four years ago at a manganese mine belonging to PT Indomainin in Wane.

AKHYAR M. NUR