UNPOL in East Timor Weekly Security Update 8 – 14 December 2006

NOTE: This is a weekly summary of the preceding daily briefings which contain additional information to the daily briefings posted earlier.

Friday, December 8th
Yesterday afternoon and evening, eighteen people were arrested in the Kampung Baru area for possession of offensive weapons. Several knives were seized and the people were taken to the Dili Detention Centre. Apart from those incidents, it has been reasonably calm, with few reports of disturbance to community peace and security. Reports from the districts of Timor Leste also indicate that it has been quiet there.

Saturday, December 9th
Around midday yesterday Police received a report of two martial arts groups fighting each other in Comoro. UNPol attended and found about 60 people throwing rocks; they were quickly dispersed and order was restored. UNPol continued to patrol the area to maintain security.

Later in the day, Police attended the senior high school at Becora after a report of looting. They disturbed three suspects who were seen running from the school, leaving behind some stolen property.

Around 4.30pm, Police received another call regarding fighting in the Bebonuk area. When they arrived, they found no disturbance but did discover what appeared to be a crater, resulting from the detonation of an explosive device.

Sunday, December 10th
It was reasonably quiet in Timor Leste yesterday and last night, with only five people arrested in Dili for relatively minor offences. Reports from Baucau indicate some damage to houses, due to flooding after the recent heavy rains, and 5 people were taken to hospital in Viqueque after a fight.

Around 9.30 last night, in Dili, PNTL, in the company of UNPol, responded to a report of a disturbance at Caicoli, where around 20 people were fighting with each other. One man was arrested and taken to the Dili Detention Centre.

About an hour later PNTL and UNPol attended Bairo Pite at Comoro, where peacekeeping forces had detained two men for carrying machetes and darts. The men were arrested by Police and taken to the Dili Detention Centre.

Monday, December 11th
During yesterday afternoon, fighting’s occurred in Taibesi area. The Portuguese FPU, who attended in both incidents, had to deploy gas to stop the disorderly behavior.

In Santa Cruz area, two martial art groups involved in a riot, were dispersed by the police intervention. Seven Timorese male were detained for the possession of weapons, such as slingshot machetes, darts, spears and one improvised explosive artifice. They had in their power some materials that might be used to built hand made artifices.

During the evening concert, in front of the Government Palace, several disturbances took place. Reports indicate that two rival groups suddenly got involved in a fighting. People at the event started to withdraw from the area, some running in opposite directions, others damaging some chairs and cars parked in the vicinity. A group of 30 suspects ran in west direction, and while passing by Hotel Timor, threw rocks against the front entrance. Witnesses confirm that a shot was heard. Several off duty police officers secured the area until the situation got under control. Regarding this incident, a Timorese male, working for UNPol as an interpreter, was stabbed last night. The victims was driven to the national hospital where he was submitted to surgery. Unfortunately he didn’t survive the injuries, and died this morning.

Tuesday, December 12th
Last night was relatively quiet in Dili. Police received several reports of fighting but at the patrols arrival, no disturbances were located. A grenade was handed by local people at Comoro Station,

In the other districts, the situation has been relatively calm. In Covalima, however, Police was called to a house in Fatumea, where a body of a 50 year old woman was found. Investigations into her death have started.

Wednesday, December 13th
Yesterday, in Kuluhum de Baixo – Becora, two groups were involved in a fighting. They fled away at police arrival. One person was injured and conveyed to Dili Hospital.

During the afternoon, some local workers and residents at the S-POD IDP camp tried to steal beans from the seaport. The police secured the area and avoided that anything was stolen.

In the vicinity of Seaport, a few hours later, a rock throwing incident was reported. Several units and FPU attended at that location and controlled the crowd. One UN vehicle was damaged.

One man was arrested last night for extortion of money, in Mercado area. The detainee was under alcohol influence and was demanding money from people at the stores.

During the night, in Aimuntin – Comoro, there was an explosion caused by a hand grenade. This explosion caused injuries in one man, who received medical care in National Hospital. The investigations on the case have been initiated.

Thursday, December 14th
In the last 24 hours, the security situation has been calm in Dili and in the outside districts.

During yesterday’s afternoon, in Metinaro, a group of residents of the IDP camp set up a road block in the vicinity of the IDP camp. The IDP’s were very upset about their living conditions at the camp now that the rain had started, and wanted to stop NGO and government vehicles to voice their concerns.

During the night, the tyres of a vehicle belonging to an international organization were damaged in Colmera by unknown people.

In the last 24 hours, there were some unconfirmed reports of martial art groups fightings in Aimutin – Comoro, Lahane Timur – Becora, and Farol but as the police attended nil was seen.

Police presence was reinforced in several areas to support IDP’s in case of natural disaster.

Police would like to encourage the people of Timor Leste NOT to become involved with explosive devices in any way. All explosives are dangerous, and when not handled correctly, by trained professional, they can result in death or serious injury. If you find any sort of explosive device, including fireworks, hand grenades, gas canisters or anything suspicious, you should stay far away from it and call Police on the toll free number, 112.

UNPol calls everyone’s attention for the importance of collaborating with the Police. If have testified a crime or know important information regarding any event that has happened or will happen in the future contact the police. All information people may give to our investigators will be kept in secret so that they don’t suffer reprisals. The information that you may give the police might do the difference in the discovery of truth. Fell free to contribute and turn your society into a safer and fair place.