Ambon soldiers 'may have violated rules'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Newly installed Pattimura Military Commander
\nBrig. Gen. Max Tamaela indicated on Monday that his soldiers
\nmight have violated military procedures during operations that
\ncaused the deaths of seven civilians in the Maluku capital of
\nAmbon three days ago.<\/p>\n
\"Based on the data collected from the scene of the incident,
\nfor the meantime it can be said that the actions of the security
\npersonnel was partly beyond standing procedures,\" Tamaela said.<\/p>\n
Antara quoted him as saying he had ordered an investigation
\ninto the fatal shootings of seven people in the Batumerah area
\nafter troops allegedly opened fire to separate fighting
\nChristians and Muslims.<\/p>\n
Tamaela, a native Ambonese, said he would also confirm claims
\nthat a truck arrived at the scene before the shooting broke out
\non Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
\"We do not know what or who the truck carried,\" Tamaela said.<\/p>\n
The bloody incident erupted during a procession of people
\ncarrying a torch representing the spirit of national hero
\nPattimura, who led a rebellion against Dutch rule in the early
\n19th century in the Maluku islands.<\/p>\n
A Muslim group, from Batumerah, carrying the torch from nearby
\nSaparua island to the main commemoration site on the main street
\nof Ambon, refused to hand over the torch as planned to their
\nChristian neighbors from the Mardika area.<\/p>\n
The Muslims insisted that traditionally it was them who
\ncarried the torch to the field, and opposed the local organizer's
\nruling that Christians would carry the beacon to the site this
\nyear, as symbol of reconciliation between the two warring camps.<\/p>\n
This year's ceremony was part of a ritual to mark the signing
\nof a peace agreement between Christians and Muslims last
\nWednesday. Minister of Defense and Security\/Indonesian Military
\nCommander Gen. Wiranto also attended the ceremony.<\/p>\n
More than 300 people have been killed since violence erupted
\nin January between Christian and Muslim groups.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was also part of the inauguration of the newly
\nestablished Pattimura Military Command, which will oversee
\nsecurity in the province.<\/p>\n
Previously it was under Trikora Military Command, which also
\noversees Irian Jaya. The separation is aimed at intensifying
\nefforts to maintain peace in Maluku.<\/p>\n
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo denied the clash
\nwas a reflection of people's rejection of the presence of the new
\ncommand.<\/p>\n
\"The clash was merely triggered by their argument (regarding
\nthe torch ceremony),\" said the general after inspecting
\npreparations to safeguard the general election in Surabaya, East
\nJava, on Monday.<\/p>\n
He blamed the people who had refused to hand over the torch,
\nbecause they had previously agreed with the arrangement.<\/p>\n
\"The torch should have been handed over at the last relay...
\nWe deeply regret it, especially since (Muslims and Christians)
\nhave agreed to create safe conditions in Maluku,\" said Subagyo.
\n(prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ambon-soldiers-may-have-violated-rules-1447893297",
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