13 injured in latest Ambon religious clash

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Thirteen people were injured on Monday in a clash between Muslims and Christians, 11 of them passengers of a public transport vehicle.

The vehicle's driver fled the scene on Jl. Diponegoro around 10 a.m., while the conductor, Daniel Tuahatu, 25, sustained injuries from a machete. One man and 10 women were listed as passengers. All the victims were taken to Perigi Lima Police Hospital.

Another conductor, Jopie Patikawa, 20, sustained injuries from stone throwing around 5 p.m. in the area of Jl. A.M.. Sangaji and around the Al Fatah Mosque in Ambon.

Witnesses said signs listing the vehicle's routes were removed from both vehicles in an attempt to lessen the likelihood of locals attacking the vehicle, by identifying whether the vehicle originated from a Muslim or Christian-dominated area. But the vehicles were trapped in the clash.

The clash occurred when Governor Saleh Latuconsina opened an inter-faith dialog aimed at seeking solutions to the ongoing sporadic violence.

The violence followed a Monday night incident of stone throwing between Muslims and Christians, which occurred for unclear reasons.

Security personnel declined to comment on the incident.

Since January, hundreds of residents have died in communal clashes, while thousands have fled their hometowns, seeking shelter in Ambon and outside the province.(48)