Maluku conflict continues<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Communal violence on Buru Island in riot-
\ntorn Maluku spread to Buru Utara Timur district on Thursday
\nfollowing deadly clashes in the neighboring district of Buru
\nUtara Barat.<\/p>\n
Official data released by the Maluku Police revealed that at
\nleast 22 people were killed and five severely injured, while 173
\nhouses and a place of worship were set ablaze by a mob.<\/p>\n
Unconfirmed sources, however, stated that at least 43 people
\ndied and 39 others were wounded in the fray.<\/p>\n
The remote island, formerly home to political prisoners linked
\nto the 1965 Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) coup attempt,
\nremained tense on Thursday due to sporadic conflicts.<\/p>\n
Maluku Police spokesman Maj. Philipus Jackriel, said dozens of
\nthe National Police's Mobile Brigade, Army Strategic Reserves
\nCommand (Kostrad), and Pattimura Military Command personnel had
\nbeen deployed to restore order.<\/p>\n
Jackriel said the unrest was sparked by a fight between two
\nyouths, a resident of Wainabe village in Buru Utara Barat and a
\nPelauw villager on Haruku island on Wednesday about 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
The Pelauw youth, who worked at a timber firm in Wanibe,
\npunched the local resident, Jackriel said.<\/p>\n
The identity of the two youths is unknown.<\/p>\n
\"But shortly after the fight, thousands of people from several
\nvillages in Buru Utara Barat attacked the villages of Safana Jaya
\nand Waikosek and a transmigrant settlement area,\" Jackriel said.<\/p>\n
Dozens of residents have fled their violence-ridden homeland.
\nSome of them were seen being evacuated to the provincial capital
\nof Ambon by navy ships. Telecommunication systems did not work
\ndue to the violence.<\/p>\n
Governor Saleh Latuconsina asserted on Thursday that the
\ndispute was a reprisal waged by some Ambon residents who had been
\ninvolved in the prolonged riots in the town.<\/p>\n
\"They moved to Buru island and later instigated the riot,\"
\nSaleh told media, adding that he had difficulties monitoring the
\nsituation due to the telecommunication problems.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi told the
\nmedia that a peace agreement between conflicting Muslim and
\nChristian groups had been reached. He ruled out the possibility
\nof sending reinforcement troops to Maluku.<\/p>\n
\"There are just too many islands. We cannot keep sending
\nreinforcements to safeguard each island, otherwise we'll run out
\nof personnel,\" Roesmanhadi said on Thursday. (48\/ylt\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/maluku-conflict-continues-1447893297",
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