Violence erupts anew in Maluku islands<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku (JP): After a period of relative calm, violence
\nbriefly resurfaced in the Maluku islands over the weekend,
\nkilling at least four people.<\/p>\n
The latest outbreak of violence took place on Sunday when
\narmed mobs attacked Wahai village in North Seram district at
\naround 10 a.m., killing a local named Melly Wenno.<\/p>\n
Wahai Police chief First Insp. Adam confirmed the attack late
\nSunday night.<\/p>\n
"There were dozens of houses gutted by fire during the raid.
\nWe haven't been able to calculate the losses but a platoon from
\nthe Yonif 731 battalion has been deployed to the area to curb
\nfurther violence," Adam said, adding that four people were also
\ninjured.<\/p>\n
The violence comes less than 48 hours after the Indonesian
\nMilitary announced that the 17 battalions currently based in the
\nprovince would be reduced to four by February.<\/p>\n
In Ambon itself, as of 11 p.m. local time Sunday, joint
\nmilitary and police forces were still reportedly involved in
\ngunfights with armed rioters on the border between the Batu Merah
\n- Mardika and Pos Kota area.<\/p>\n
No immediate casualties were reported.<\/p>\n
But, in previous gunfights between armed mobs and security
\nforces that lasted from Friday to Saturday, at least three people
\nwere killed and scores of others injured, an official said.<\/p>\n
Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa confirmed
\nthe deaths earlier on Saturday and identified the fatalities as
\nRuslan, Hasan and Yudi.<\/p>\n
"Signals of conflict emerged around 5 p.m. local time on
\nFriday when a public minivan passing through Liang village was
\nshot at by unidentified gunmen. Three people were also injured in
\nthe incident," Yasa said.<\/p>\n
"The mobs started to gather in Waai, which is odd since the
\nvillage has been long deserted by its inhabitants as it was
\ncompletely gutted in an incident on July 6."<\/p>\n
"So where did the mobs come from? Gunmen also fired at the
\nmarine posts in Batu Merah - Mardika and in Pohon Pule around 11
\np.m. on Friday," he said.<\/p>\n
Following the incidents, the mobs went on a rampage and
\ngunfights were unavoidable, Yasa said.<\/p>\n
"We conducted a joint security forces sweep in the Batu Merah
\n- Mardika area and managed to catch four rioters and seized a
\nrevolver, a gun, two bombs and ammunition for an M-16," he said
\nadding that among the four was provincial council member Darul
\nKutni Tuhepali of the United Development Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
"The four are being detained by Ambon Police. As long as the
\nrioters keep on shooting, we will take firm measures," Yasa
\nwarned. (49\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/violence-erupts-anew-in-maluku-islands-1447893297",
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