Bomb explode in Ambon, killed one person<\/p>\n
Agencies, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A bomb exploded in the conflict-ridden Ambon on Sunday, killing
\none person and injuring six others, one day after the brief visit
\nof President Megawati Soekarnoputri to the province's capital of
\nthe same name.<\/p>\n
Placed in a biscuit tin, the homemade bomb was put in a bag
\nwith snacks and beer, and placed under a bench in front of a
\nstore near Halong navy base.<\/p>\n
\"The victims were people who found the package and tried to
\nopen the tin,\" Ambon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan
\nsaid as quoted by AFP.<\/p>\n
The bomb exploded at around 9 a.m.<\/p>\n
The fatality was Yodi Latuheru who died at the navy hospital
\nafter his hands and legs were amputated by doctors due to the
\nseverity of his wounds.<\/p>\n
The injured were Ramel Manuputi, Ishak Manuputi, Marcello
\nManubu, Stanley Kaya, Chriswati Muni and Andrey Matahuru,
\naccording to the RCTI TV station.<\/p>\n
The victims were taken to the Navy hospital or another nearby
\nprivate hospital.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe the perpetrators were trying to attack Christian youths
\nwho live in the area. But there appears to be no connection
\nbetween the attack and the presidential visit,\" Leonidas told AP<\/p>\n
The police chief disclosed another homemade bomb had exploded
\nhalf an hour later in Batumerah area in Ambon. No casualties were
\nreported.<\/p>\n
Residents found a bag containing a third bomb at the Halong
\nBatumerah village, which was detonated by police.<\/p>\n
Leonidas said that the police were investigating the case and
\nsecuring the areas.<\/p>\n
Ambon has been plagued by recurring clashes between Muslims
\nand Christians. Last month, a fresh clash broke out in which 39
\npeople were killed and dozen of others injured. Local leaders of
\nboth constituents blame the authorities for their lax handling of
\nsecurity on the island, which is known as the spice island.<\/p>\n
The fresh outbreak was provoked by the hoisting of the
\nseparatist flag in a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of
\nthe Maluku Sovereign Front (FKM).<\/p>\n
The Muslim community accused the Christian community of
\nsupporting the separatist movement, provoking clashes that lasted
\nfor days.<\/p>\n
Sunday's explosion raised a new fear among the people of
\nanother insurgency in the area, but as of Sunday evening the
\nsituation in the city remained calm.<\/p>\n
During the brief visit on Saturday, Megawati was criticized
\nfor her government's lenient action against the separatist
\nmovement.<\/p>\n
She responded by instructing security officers not to hesitate
\nin wiping out the movement and asked the people not to relate the
\nseparatist movement to the Christian community.<\/p>\n
The FKM was set up following the first outbreak of clashes in
\n1999 and the arrival of hundreds of Muslims from the mainland of
\nJava to take part in the conflict.<\/p>\n
The conflict continued for more than three years. More than
\n9,000 lives were lost and thousands of buildings destroyed,
\nincluding residential houses, churches and mosques.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the clash was incensed by a seemingly trivial
\nincidence when a local minibus driver was involved in a dispute
\nwith a passenger over the transportation fare.<\/p>\n
Calm gradually returned to the otherwise peaceful province
\nafter the government sponsored a peace truce in February 2002
\ndubbed the Malino II peace pact.<\/p>",
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