Ambon military warns of provocation

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)