A traditional Balinese security guard (pecalang) was stabbed in the early hours of Wednesday morning, as Nyepi was coming to a close.
For the Balinese New Year, Nyepi, a Day of Silence is practiced on the island for 24 hours—this year, the holy day started on March 28 at 6 am.
AS, 34, who was patrolling Banjar Mertayasa, Denpasar during Nyepi was stabbed and critically injured around 3:30 am on March 29, according to reports.
The attack on AS was allegedly triggered over a cigarette.
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“I don’t exactly know,” the victim’s brother told reporters.
“From what we know, it started when the perp took a cigarette without permission.”
After getting rebuked by AS over the cigarette, the perp allegedly left and then came back with some friends to attack and stab AS, reports say.
“We are still investigating this case and the person’s identity is still being sought,” West Denpasar Police Commissioner Wisnu Wardana said on Wednesday, as quoted by Bali Post.
AS took slash wounds to his shoulder and deep cuts on the hand, as well as stab wounds on his waist, reports said.
He was first treated at Wangaya Hospital, but was quickly referred to the Emergency Room at Denpasar’s Sanglah Hospital because of the seriousness of his wounds.
“A few hours after the surgery, my husband was already conscious. Recently, his condition has started to improve,” the victim’s wife told Tribun Bali.
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