Villagers praying at one of the burnt houses in Kampung Tanjung Batu, Lahad Datu, under close surveillance of the security forces yesterday. Pic by Edmund Samunting
Two villages declared free of intruders
LAHAD DATU: More than 10 intruders are still hiding in Felda Sahabat and security personnel are hot on their trail.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib yesterday said there had been no encounters with them so far but "we know that they are out there".
He assured that security in Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian was under control and that the two coastal villages were now declared free of armed intruders.
"We have brought 22 family heads to visit and assess their homes in Tanjung Batu and we will also allow villagers to return home tomorrow (today).
"We will continue to deploy security personnel in villages which have been cleared, including Sungai Nyamuk and Kampung Tanduo and we will conduct general policing to restore villagers' confidence".
Hamza added that between 20 and 25 Tanjung Batu families were expected to return to their homes, adding villagers whose houses were destroyed would continue to stay at the relief centres until further notice.
Security forces completed their sweeping and mopping up operations in Tanjung Labian yesterday.
The assessment team is scheduled to enter the village today, along with heads of family and community leaders.
Operations are now focused on Sungai Bilis and Kampuing Lok Buani.
To date, 126 suspects linked to the intruders were arrested and 68 gunmen were killed since the first clash on March 1.
Based on assessment, Lahad Datu district officer Zulkifli Nasir said 16 houses in Tanjung Batu were destroyed in the conflicts between security forces and the intruders.
"While 25 houses need to be repaired, there could be more houses that need to be looked into. We are studying the possibility of relocating some of Tanjung Batu villagers.
"There are many houses in this area compared to Kampung Tanduo but the district office would also assist in the reconstruction of all houses destroyed in the conflict." he said.
Zulkifli, who led the assessment team, said there was no untoward incident during their visit to the village yesterday and that the situation in Tanjung Batu was currently under control.
LAHAD DATU: More than 10 intruders are still hiding in Felda Sahabat and security personnel are hot on their trail.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib yesterday said there had been no encounters with them so far but "we know that they are out there".
He assured that security in Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian was under control and that the two coastal villages were now declared free of armed intruders.
"We have brought 22 family heads to visit and assess their homes in Tanjung Batu and we will also allow villagers to return home tomorrow (today).
"We will continue to deploy security personnel in villages which have been cleared, including Sungai Nyamuk and Kampung Tanduo and we will conduct general policing to restore villagers' confidence".
Hamza added that between 20 and 25 Tanjung Batu families were expected to return to their homes, adding villagers whose houses were destroyed would continue to stay at the relief centres until further notice.
Security forces completed their sweeping and mopping up operations in Tanjung Labian yesterday.
The assessment team is scheduled to enter the village today, along with heads of family and community leaders.
Operations are now focused on Sungai Bilis and Kampuing Lok Buani.
To date, 126 suspects linked to the intruders were arrested and 68 gunmen were killed since the first clash on March 1.
Based on assessment, Lahad Datu district officer Zulkifli Nasir said 16 houses in Tanjung Batu were destroyed in the conflicts between security forces and the intruders.
"While 25 houses need to be repaired, there could be more houses that need to be looked into. We are studying the possibility of relocating some of Tanjung Batu villagers.
"There are many houses in this area compared to Kampung Tanduo but the district office would also assist in the reconstruction of all houses destroyed in the conflict." he said.
Zulkifli, who led the assessment team, said there was no untoward incident during their visit to the village yesterday and that the situation in Tanjung Batu was currently under control.
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