Fresh violence kills 17 people in Central Maluku<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku (JP): While a truce seems to have taken hold in
\nmost parts of Maluku, violence returned to Central Maluku over
\nthe past few days, leaving 17 people dead and several others
\ninjured.<\/p>\n
Maluku military commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela said on
\nFriday 32 alleged rioters had been arrested following clashes in
\ntwo villages from Wednesday to Thursday night.<\/p>\n
Security authorities also confiscated dozens of sharp weapons,
\nhomemade rifles and bombs as evidence, Tamaela added.<\/p>\n
"I have ordered military troops to shoot on sight any
\nindividual who is trying to instigate a riot," Tamaela said.<\/p>\n
The first incident erupted when armed mobs threw homemade
\nbombs at houses in Soahaku village in Amahai district and began
\nattacking people.<\/p>\n
"The clash only ceased on Thursday night, after 15 people were
\nkilled, 13 of whom were the aggressors," Tamaela said.<\/p>\n
Also on Thursday in the same district, a group of men attacked
\na migrant resettlement area near Waitia village in Masohi, the
\nmain town on the island of Seram, killing a 60-year-old man and
\nhis wife. The man was identified as Sepa.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Ambon, a mob in Paso village burned a public
\nminivan they believed was transporting instigators on Friday
\nmorning.<\/p>\n
Tamaela also said four days of sectarian violence on the
\nisland of Bacan in North Maluku between Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 left
\n49 dead and 25 injured.<\/p>\n
Maluku has been hit by clashes between Muslims and Christians
\nsince mid-January last year. More than 2,000 people have died and
\nhundreds of thousands more have fled their homes.<\/p>\n
Tamaela also said on Friday there were strong indications that
\ncertain parties were trying to maintain disorder and create
\ndisturbances in Maluku.<\/p>\n
"We have repeatedly received anonymous calls warning about the
\nspread of attacks. Sporadic shootings by unidentified snipers
\nhave also occurred from time to time," he said.<\/p>\n
Political interests<\/p>\n
In a related development, Bambang W. Soeharto, who chairs the
\ninquiry on violence in Maluku, said on Friday certain national
\nand local political interests continued to stir unrest on the
\nNorth Maluku islands of North Halmahera, Ternate and Tidore.<\/p>\n
"We observe political benefits being pursued by certain
\nreligious groups backed by central groups, such as in the case of
\nregional autonomy and the future position of the Maluku
\ngovernor," Bambang told Antara.<\/p>\n
The team, visiting North Maluku, also suggested the central
\nand local governments soon activate administrative functions in
\nrestive areas such as Tobelo.<\/p>\n
"The riot-torn area was completely deserted. The recovery of
\nadministrative instruments followed by stern law enforcement by
\nsecurity forces is a must to end the violence and restore order,"
\nBambang said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Sultan of Ternate Mudaffar Syah protested on
\nFriday his dismissal from the North Maluku legislative council by
\nthe legislators for his alleged role in the sectarian conflict.<\/p>\n
"It's unconstitutional because the council does not have the
\npower to fire a legislator before the court finds him or her
\nguilty of a crime," Mudaffar told private television station SCTV
\non Friday evening. (49\/edt)<\/p>",
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