Manggarai Barat Police move Lengkong Warang land dispute cases to investigation
Police in West Manggarai have raised two reports linked to a violent customary-land dispute in Lengkong Warang to formal investigation, examining dozens of witnesses and seizing vehicles as evidence, while urging rival communities to avoid…
Editor: Mursyid Sonsang
· 4 min read
Labuan Bajo — Police in West Manggarai regency have moved two reports linked to a violent customary-land dispute in Lengkong Warang, Tanjung Boleng village, from preliminary inquiry to formal investigation, according to the Manggarai Barat Police and local broadcaster RRI.
RRI reported that the decision followed a case review at Manggarai Barat Police headquarters on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, and that both reports were filed by members of the Mbehal Indigenous community on 29 July 2026.
Dispute between Mbehal and Rareng communities
The dispute centres on ulayat, or customary communal land, in Lengkong Warang, Boleng subdistrict, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.
Local media have described longstanding tensions between residents of Kampung Mbehal and Kampung Rareng over claims to the same area, which escalated into clashes involving hundreds of people on 29 July 2026.
During the July confrontation, two pick-up trucks and three motorcycles belonging to Mbehal residents were burned, and several huts at the site were damaged, according to police statements and eyewitness accounts reported by Detik and NTT Viva.
What the police reports cover
RRI stated that the first report, filed by Karolus Ngotom, is registered under number LP/B/118/VII/2026/SPKT/Polres Mabar/Polda NTT and concerns alleged property damage.
Investigators have questioned 27 witnesses in that case and secured one four-wheeled vehicle and three two-wheeled vehicles as evidence, RRI reported.
The case is being handled as an alleged criminal act of damage to property under Article 521 paragraph (1) of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code, which RRI noted carries a maximum sentence of two years and six months in prison.
The second report, filed by Fabianus Arung under number LP/B/119/VII/2026/SPKT/Polres Mabar/Polda NTT, concerns alleged property damage and document forgery.
In that case investigators have examined 24 witnesses and secured one four-wheeled vehicle, according to RRI.
Neither RRI nor other outlets have specified which documents are alleged to have been forged or given detailed descriptions of the damaged property in the second report.
Investigation stage and next steps
RRI quoted Manggarai Barat Police Criminal Investigation Unit chief AKP Lufthi Darmawan Aditya as saying investigators had gathered sufficient initial evidence, including witness statements and seized items, to raise the status of the two reports from inquiry to investigation.
He described the case review as a control mechanism intended to ensure the process remains objective and complies with procedure, according to RRI.
RRI reported that investigators are expected to complete administrative steps for the investigation, issue a formal investigation order and notify the Manggarai Barat District Prosecutor’s Office that an investigation has begun.
Police also plan to re-examine witnesses and process the seizure of evidence in line with criminal procedure, RRI said.
Lufthi stated that any decision to name suspects will follow the completion of witness examinations and evidence seizures and will be taken through a special case review, according to RRI.
Security measures and calls for restraint
Following the July clashes, Manggarai Barat Police chief AKBP Christian Kadang has repeatedly urged both the Mbehal and Rareng communities to avoid retaliation and to leave the dispute to legal and mediation processes, according to RRI and NTT Viva.
RRI reported that police have deployed combined personnel from the Intelligence and Security Unit and community officers around the disputed area to prevent further conflict.
Police and local authorities have also agreed to maintain a status quo at the Lengkong Warang site during the investigation and mediation, with residents from both communities asked not to conduct physical activities or land cultivation there for the time being, according to NTT Viva and Detik.
Christian Kadang has said the cases arising from the dispute will be handled in accordance with applicable law and has called on all parties to respect the ongoing legal process.
Sources
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