14 Aug 2006

Four die in renewed Papua tribal fighting

10:17 am on 14 August 2006

Police in Indonesia's Papua province say four people have been killed in clashes between Papuan tribesmen armed with bows and arrows, spears and machetes.

Renewed violence erupted in Timika district 10 days after leaders of the Dani and Damal tribes vowed to halt clashes that had left 10 dead in 10 days of warfare.

Master Sergeant Bonepai, from the Timika district police, says four people were killed, with two policemen among the injured.

The cause of the renewed outbreak of violence remains unclear.

The latest fighting took place on the outskirts of Timika town, not far from the huge gold and copper mine operated by Freeport-McMoRan.