TEMPO.CO, Timika - Two groups of traditional gold panners at mile 34 of Freeport Indonesia's gold mining area in Timika, Papua clashed again on Thursday, July 4, killing one man and wounding dozens of other.
Adrianus Lesomartewas was shot on his chest by an arrow. He died at the Mimika District General Hospital. In the clash, some two hundred gold panners attacked one another using various weapons including bows and arrows and rifles.
The Kuala Kencana Police tried breaking up the fights while evacuating panners. But the effort was not successful because the police were outnumbered.
As of the evening, the police were still patrolling and conducting friendly approaches to the two warring groups. Armored vehicles are stationed in areas considered prone to more clashes.
Several months ago, the two groups of gold panners also fought at the Budi Utomo Street, leaving two people dead and dozens injured.
TJAHJONO EP
