Ambon snipers may not be RMS members
M. Azis Tunny and Tiarma Siboro, Ambon/Jakarta
Police have arrested more separatists blamed for triggering renewed clashes in Ambon, Maluku but failed to explain why they could not capture snipers still roaming across the eastern city.
The mysterious snipers, who killed several people including two policemen in days of recent fighting, might not belong to the South Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist group, outgoing Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Sutrisno said.
"Currently we are dealing with the RMS. But I can't say the snipers are its members. They could be from another group," he said.
In Jakarta, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said he would deal sternly with any of his soldiers if they were found to have joined the conflict.
"If people can provide reliable evidence that shows the involvement of soldiers in the clashes, I will arrest the soldiers and they will stand trial," he said
However, Endriartono warned he might also sue those who blamed the TNI for the violence that first broke out on April 25, saying the military had "no political agenda" in Maluku ahead of the July 5 presidential election.
The snipers, apparently well-trained and equipped with automatic rifles, shot their targets from high buildings and trees in downtown Ambon.
Hot spots for sniper attacks were Tanah Lapang Kecil (Talake), Waringin and Batugantong -- on the borderlines of Christian and Muslim communities. Most victims of the snipers were shot in the head and chest.
These three areas were also the scene of sectarian fighting, which has killed at least 38 people since April 25.
Bambang and Endriartono did not explain why none of the snipers had not been captured, although they were operating in open areas.
The area is occupied by paramilitary police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel, who arrived from Jakarta soon after the April 25 to prevent further attacks.
Maluku Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Endro Prasetyo said Brimob officers had combed areas for snipers and fired shots at several of them.
"Several snipers have been shot but their identities remain unknown because they were immediately rescued by their accomplices," he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Elsewhere on Wednesday morning, gunmen in a speedboat shot dead a boy and injured a girl on Wamkarna Beach in Buru, Maluku.
They also killed a 38-year-old man, Obet Lesnussa, in the neighboring village of Wainalut, church leader Jacky Manuputty said. Residents fled the two villages after the incident.
On May 1, gunmen in a boat targeted 19 fishermen sailing off Latuhalat village in Nusaniwe, Ambon. One man was killed, while the others survived by jumping into the sea.
The fisherman told the Suara Maluku newspaper the attackers were dressed in green military-like uniforms and were armed with automatic guns. They said the gunmen fired shots at them from about 10 meters away.
Meanwhile, at least 35 separatists have been detained on charges of inciting the deadly battles that began after a banned separatist parade by the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) on April 25. The parade was commemorating the 54th Anniversary of the group.
The latest violence is the worst since a peace pact in February 2002 ended three years of religious fighting in Maluku, in which some 6,000 people died.
National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar admitted on Wednesday police had failed to prevent the fresh clashes.
Police in Ambon should have arrested RMS members involved in the parade and detained them securely, he said.
"Instead, my personnel escorted the convoy of RMS activists and others to the nearest police office. When the convoy passed through mainly Muslim areas, it provoked locals to attack," Da'i told a hearing at the House of Representatives in Jakarta.
On Tuesday, Da'i was praised for firing Maluku Police chief Bambang Sutrisno for failing to curb the latest violence.