Government Grieving Over Death Toll In Nabire Riot

Jakarta, July 15 (Antara) - The government was overcome with grief over the death of at least 18 people on Sunday night riot after a boxing championship in Nabire District, Papua Province, Security Minister Djoko Suyanto said in a short message on Monday. "Therefore we call on security personnel from the Police and National Defense Forces (TNI) to help restore the security and order in Nabire," said the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs. According to Nabire Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr Bahara Marpaung, the riot occurred at the closing of the Bupati Cup boxing championship, which was won by Alfius Rumkorem from other town in the district. The decision favoring the visitor was protested by the supporters of the local pugilist Yulianus Pigome of the Nabire city boxing camp. Protests by the local supporters broke out into a riot, forcing around 1,500 spectators to jostle against each other to rush out of the Nabire sports building. Most of the casualties, dominated by women, were caused by being trampled on by people in the building and the door. Women spectators made up 11 of the dead with men making up 7, Bahara said. He said the dead victims had been sent to their respective relatives and some of those injured are still treated at the Nabire hospital. The situation has been under control, he said.