Ambon military warns of provocation

AMBON, Maluku: The chief of the Pattimura Military Command Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa called on residents of the Mardika area, Sirimau district, here on Monday not to be easily provoked into violence and promised to conduct round-the-clock security surveillance to prevent an outbreak of fresh attacks.

Mardika is known to be one of the riot-prone areas in Ambon with the latest violence erupting on Sunday. No fatalities were reported in the outbreak.

"Sunday's attack was part of a plan to prolong the violence in the territory. I urge local residents not to get provoked and let the military handle the armed attackers," he said after attending a coordinating meeting at the gubernatorial office.

"Security personnel have been ordered to monitor security in the area 24 hours a day," he added.

According to I Made Yasa, the security forces have seized 36 homemade firearms and a number of standard-issue weapons in recent sweeping operations in Kairatu district.

Meanwhile, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani said that stern sanctions had been imposed on several police officers who had sided with one of the conflicting parties during the unrest that erupted recently in Ambon and on Seram Island. (49/lup)