Ambon rocked again, seven killed<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of military personnel opened fire on
\nclashing Muslims and Christians in the devastated Maluku capital
\nof Ambon, killing at least seven people and wounding dozens more.<\/p>\n
Witnesses and hospital staff spoke of ugly scenes when renewed
\nviolence, involving thousands of people armed with crude weapons,
\nerupted almost simultaneously at six different sites in and
\naround Ambon on Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\"At least 30 people suffering from gunshot wounds were
\nadmitted to hospital today, six of them are dead and five are in
\nserious condition,\" Nurse Ida of the emergency ward of Haulusi
\nGeneral Hospital told The Jakarta Post by phone from Ambon.<\/p>\n
She said the casualties were Robby Bonsaya, Ono Ratnoma, Joni
\nSahupala, Marli Latuheru, Jerry Siregar and Yosef Yotuwu.<\/p>\n
Ida said one more died from gunshot wounds at Maluku
\nProtestant Church, while at least six more people injured in the
\nclashes were taken to Maluku Protestant Church Hospital.<\/p>\n
\"Etje Naulohi died from gunshot wounds at the Maluku
\nProtestant Church Hospital,\" Jacky Manuputih, a local Christian
\nactivist, told the Post from Haulusi General Hospital.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), however, said in a
\nreport made available to the Post on Wednesday night there were
\nonly three confirmed deaths.<\/p>\n
The report identified the victims as Robby, Jerry and Etje.
\nRobby died from gunshot wounds to the head.<\/p>\n
One marine, Ivan, whose rank was not identified, suffered an
\narrow wound in Air Mata Cina area, the report said.<\/p>\n
The PGI said clashes erupted in at least six areas: near the
\nSilo Church, in Benteng Atas, Urimessing, Mardika market, Tantui
\nand Ahuru.<\/p>\n
Jacky said the victims were shot in two separate clashes
\nbetween Muslims and Christians in Air Mata Cina and Benteng Atas
\non Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"Etje, Robby, Joni and Siregar were shot in Air Mata Cina,
\nwhile the remaining three were shot in Benteng Atas.\"<\/p>\n
Ronny Lewerisa, a resident of Benteng Atas, said that troops
\nopened fire to disperse Muslims and Christians battling with
\nMolotov cocktails and crude weapons.<\/p>\n
He said the first clash broke out at around 3 p.m. in Benteng
\nAtas. Shortly afterward, dozens of marines were rushed to the
\narea to control the situation.<\/p>\n
\"But they then left and a second clash erupted an hour later.
\nDozens of Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) troops rushed
\nto the area and opened fire on residents,\" Ronny told the Post.<\/p>\n
Clashes were continuing into the night, he said.<\/p>\n
Military authorities could not be contacted for confirmation.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto dispatched one
\nbattalion of marines and two battalions of Kostrad troops from
\nJava last week to reinforce local security personnel.<\/p>\n
Antara reported dozens of houses were set on fire in Benteng
\nAtas, causing residents to flee and seek refuge at the Santa
\nMaria Bintang Laut Church.<\/p>\n
The news agency reported the special military task force sent
\nby Wiranto to Ambon on Sunday will set up a communication center
\nin the riot-torn city.<\/p>\n
Wiranto dispatched a high-ranking team of 19 local-born
\nmilitary officers, led by Maj. Gen. Suaidy Marasabessy, who is
\nalso chief of Wirabuana Regional Military Command, to Ambon in an
\neffort to stop the communal bloodshed.<\/p>\n
Police said on Wednesday at least 172 people have been killed
\nsince clashes between Muslims and Christians first erupted in
\nmid-January. More than 450 others were injured.<\/p>\n
Police said they were questioning 23 people suspected of
\ninstigating the riots.<\/p>\n
They said former Maluku governor Dicky Watimena and local
\nlegislator Habib Ali bin Taher had been questioned.<\/p>\n
Wednesday's clashes came only a day after local religious
\nleaders called for calm and peace in Ambon.<\/p>\n
Ambon Bishop Mandagi, head of Maluku chapter of Indonesian
\nCouncil of Ulemas (MUI) Hasanussy, Rev. Sammy Titalei of the
\nMaluku Protestant Church and intellectuals from Pattimura
\nUniversity met with Suaidy on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people have taken refuge in mosques, churches,
\nmilitary facilities and other government buildings in Ambon while
\nthousands of others have fled the city on ships for their
\nhometowns in Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
The violence was initially sparked by a dispute between a
\nMuslim migrant and a local Christian driver of a public minibus
\non Jan. 19.<\/p>\n
It quickly degenerated into full-scale riots involving members
\nof both communities. (byg\/emf)<\/p>",
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