Indonesian clashes kill 10 - thousands flee

Angry mobs killed at least 10 people today in clashes between rival ethnic groups in Indonesia's central Kalimantan area.

Angry mobs killed at least 10 people today in clashes between rival ethnic groups in Indonesia's central Kalimantan area.

It forced thousands to seek shelter at police posts and government offices.

The police are trying to control the situation.

"It's beginning to subside," said Central Kalimantan police spokesman from the province on Borneo island Mr Andi Selvy.

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Fighting broke out early on Sunday in the provincial town of Sampit 750 km north-east of Jakarta after a mob of indigenous Dayaks attacked a settlement housing migrants from the island of Madura off the coast of Java.

The violence eased yesterday after police reinforcements arrived. The latest killings bring the death toll since Sunday to 31.

Simmering tensions between Dayaks and Madurese have frequently exploded over the past two years, killing hundreds. Much of the tension concerns land disputes and job opportunities.