At least 15 killed in Ambon clash

JAKARTA (JP): Tension gripped the Maluku capital of Ambon on Tuesday as renewed violence erupted between Muslims and Christians, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 100 others, according to police and hospital sources.

Maluku Police spokesman Maj. Jekriel Philip, citing reports from three local hospitals -- Haulusi General Hospital, Al-Fatah Hospital and Protestant Maluku Church Hospital -- said that as of 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday, at least 15 people had been killed and 101 more injured in clashes in Batu Merah and Mardika in Ambon.

"The situation is still tense but under control, and groups of people carrying sharp weapons and homemade firearms are still seen gathering in these areas," Jekriel told The Jakarta Post from Ambon.

Batu Merah and Mardika have been the center of the clashes between Muslims and Christians which broke out earlier this year, leaving more than 350 people dead and a trail of destruction.

Jekriel quoted witnesses as saying this latest round of violence was triggered by a traffic accident in front of An-Nur Mosque in Batu Merah on Monday.

"A car, which was driven by a police officer who happens to be Christian, hit another car. It was just a traffic accident caused when the car's brakes gave way. But people then gathered in the area and demanded the local military and police chiefs settle the matter," Jekriel said.

Muslim activist Malik Selang from Al-Fatah Mosque said two Muslims were injured in the accident, and accused the police officer of hit-and-run.

"We were angry because security personnel could not settle the matter. Both communities then attacked each other, but were quickly dispersed," Malik told the Post.

He said the violence flared up again in Batu Merah and Mardika at around 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Muslims and Christians have accused security personnel of favoritism in dealing with the clashes.

Earlier, a doctor at Al-Fatah Hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the hospital received five corpses and admitted more than 50 people with slash and bullet wounds.

Meanwhile Sonny, a staff member in the emergency ward of Haulusi Hospital, said the hospital received at least nine corpses and was treating some 32 people for bullet wounds.

A staff member at Protestant Maluku Church Hospital, Yanes Lekransi, said at least 31 people with bullet wounds were admitted to the hospital on Tuesday.

Ambon Police chief Lt. Col. Gufron, however, was quoted by Antara news agency as saying 17 people were killed in the latest violence.

He told a media conference that Haulusi Hospital received 10 corpses, Al-Fatah Hospital six corpses and Protestant Maluku Church Hospital one corpse.

He also said that from July 23 to Aug. 9, at least 45 people were killed in communal clashes in Ambon. Police have arrested 45 people suspected of involvement in the violence.

The independent Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence said last week 82 people were killed and four went missing in Ambon between July 15 and Aug. 5.

Meanwhile, Capt. Sutarno, a staff member at the local military information office, said at least 14 security personnel were injured in the recent violence and were being treated at a military hospital and Haulusi Hospital.

Police also said more than 30,000 people fled to nearby mosques, churches and military barracks fearing further unrest.

One battalion of reinforcement troops arrived in Ambon late last month to quell the ongoing violence between Muslims and Christians.

Earlier, four battalions of troops, or some 2,600 men, and three companies from the National Police's elite Mobile Brigade were deployed to the province. (byg/48)