An Indonesian priest has condemned a recent clash between residents and police in Central Sulawesi, which left eight people dead and 45 others injured.

“Violence should not be used to solve a problem,” said Father Benediktus Saletia, chairperson of the Manado diocese’s Commission for Justice and Peace.

“I offer my deep condolences to the dead victims’ relatives.”

The priest made the remarks after the Aug. 30 clash in Buol district. The incident occurred after a motorcyclist named Kasmir, who was accused of hitting a policeman two days earlier, was found dead while in police custody.

Five hundred local residents attacked a police station after an autopsy revealed that Kasmir died of physical torture.

“There is a serious human right violations in this case,” Dedy Askari, a member of the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia, told reporters.

Father Saletia said he hopes both local residents and police will be able to find a solution to the issue. “I hope they will reconcile soon so that no violence will reoccur,” he said.

Manado diocese covers North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and Gorontalo provinces.

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