TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono said that the government has delivered compensation to the families of 17 victims of Nabire riots. "The families of the victims has been compensated by the provincial government, amounting Rp20 million (US$1,988) per person," the Minister said Monday, July 15.
After what happened at Nabire Sports Center, the central government quickly coordinated with their provincial counterparts to compensate the families of the victims. In addition, the government provided free hospitalization to the wounded.
Laksono said the government keeps being informed with latest events, hoping the riots do not spread. Based on what the Ministry received, the police is still intensively investigating six committee members and match officials. Laksono hoped such riot will not happen again in the future.
The Nabire riots broke after the referee announced the winning of Alvinus Romkaren of Persada Biak Gym in the welterweight boxing match between him and Yulianus Gome of Nabire Night Gym. Romkaren won the match by superior score.
The audience, most of whom are Nabire natives, refused to accept the defeat and resorted to rioting and throwing chairs. Other frightened spectators scrambled through the exit in a crowd, with several unlucky people stampede and jostled. Seventeen were dead in the incident with tens injured.
IRA GUSLINA SUFA
