RADAR TULUNGAGUNG – A deadly Lumajang carok duel between two relatives in East Java left one man dead and another critically injured after a long-running family dispute reportedly escalated over jackfruit leaves used as livestock feed. The violent clash erupted on Thursday afternoon in a sengon plantation in Sumberingin Village, Kelakah District, Lumajang Regency.
Authorities identified the victim who died as Abdul Karim, 50, while Wasil, 40, suffered severe slash wounds during the duel involving celurit, traditional curved blades often linked to carok confrontations in parts of East Java and Madura. Medical workers rushed Wasil to Dr. Haryoto Hospital in Lumajang for emergency treatment.
The Lumajang carok duel immediately drew police attention because officers feared the conflict could trigger wider tensions between the two families, who are neighbors and blood relatives.
Long-Running Family Dispute Escalated Into Violence
Police and local witnesses said the confrontation stemmed from an old grudge between the families that resurfaced after an argument over jackfruit leaves for animal feed.
The conflict intensified at around 11 a.m. local time when the two men encountered each other on a village road while riding motorcycles. Their vehicles reportedly brushed against one another, sparking a heated argument.
Before the incident occurred, one of the men had traveled to his plantation to collect grass for livestock feed. Witnesses said both sides exchanged insults and accusations tied to unresolved tensions from previous disputes.
Local officials stated that Abdul Karim returned home during the argument and took a celurit before the duel unfolded in the plantation area.
“Both individuals were neighbors and still related by family,” a local official said in a statement quoted by local media. “Residents informed us that both sides had longstanding resentment and unresolved problems.”
The official added that the motorcycle incident became the final trigger that reignited the feud.
Police Tighten Security Around Hospital and Crime Scene
After the deadly Lumajang carok duel, police deployed additional personnel to Dr. Haryoto Hospital to prevent retaliation or further clashes involving relatives from either side.
Investigators also secured the plantation area where the duel occurred while officers gathered evidence and questioned witnesses about the sequence of events.
Carok, a traditional duel involving sharp weapons, has long appeared in disputes related to honor, family conflicts, and personal grievances in several communities across East Java and Madura. Although such incidents have become less common, violent confrontations still erupt in some rural areas when personal disputes spiral out of control.
Police have not confirmed whether other individuals participated in the incident. Investigators are also examining whether either family attempted mediation before the fatal clash occurred.
Medical staff transported both men to Dr. Haryoto Hospital, where doctors declared Abdul Karim dead while Wasil continued receiving intensive treatment for severe injuries caused by celurit attacks.
Residents Fear Further Tensions After Deadly Duel
Residents of Sumberingin Village expressed shock over the violent confrontation because both men came from the same extended family and lived near each other.
Community leaders urged residents to stay calm and avoid actions that could worsen tensions while police continue investigating the case.
The incident has renewed concerns about unresolved family disputes in rural communities and the speed at which personal conflicts can turn deadly when sharp weapons are involved.
Police continue monitoring the area closely to maintain security and prevent revenge attacks involving relatives connected to the dispute.
The Lumajang carok duel has become one of the latest violent incidents in East Java linked to longstanding personal grudges, underscoring the dangers of unresolved family tensions that can explode over minor triggers.