13 injured in latest Ambon religious clash

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)