Bomb explode in Ambon, killed one person

Bomb explode in Ambon, killed one person

Agencies, Jakarta

A bomb exploded in the conflict-ridden Ambon on Sunday, killing
one person and injuring six others, one day after the brief visit
of President Megawati Soekarnoputri to the province's capital of
the same name.

Placed in a biscuit tin, the homemade bomb was put in a bag
with snacks and beer, and placed under a bench in front of a
store near Halong navy base.

"The victims were people who found the package and tried to
open the tin," Ambon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan
said as quoted by AFP.

The bomb exploded at around 9 a.m.

The fatality was Yodi Latuheru who died at the navy hospital
after his hands and legs were amputated by doctors due to the
severity of his wounds.

The injured were Ramel Manuputi, Ishak Manuputi, Marcello
Manubu, Stanley Kaya, Chriswati Muni and Andrey Matahuru,
according to the RCTI TV station.

The victims were taken to the Navy hospital or another nearby
private hospital.

"Maybe the perpetrators were trying to attack Christian youths
who live in the area. But there appears to be no connection
between the attack and the presidential visit," Leonidas told AP

The police chief disclosed another homemade bomb had exploded
half an hour later in Batumerah area in Ambon. No casualties were
reported.

Residents found a bag containing a third bomb at the Halong
Batumerah village, which was detonated by police.

Leonidas said that the police were investigating the case and
securing the areas.

Ambon has been plagued by recurring clashes between Muslims
and Christians. Last month, a fresh clash broke out in which 39
people were killed and dozen of others injured. Local leaders of
both constituents blame the authorities for their lax handling of
security on the island, which is known as the spice island.

The fresh outbreak was provoked by the hoisting of the
separatist flag in a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of
the Maluku Sovereign Front (FKM).

The Muslim community accused the Christian community of
supporting the separatist movement, provoking clashes that lasted
for days.

Sunday's explosion raised a new fear among the people of
another insurgency in the area, but as of Sunday evening the
situation in the city remained calm.

During the brief visit on Saturday, Megawati was criticized
for her government's lenient action against the separatist
movement.

She responded by instructing security officers not to hesitate
in wiping out the movement and asked the people not to relate the
separatist movement to the Christian community.

The FKM was set up following the first outbreak of clashes in
1999 and the arrival of hundreds of Muslims from the mainland of
Java to take part in the conflict.

The conflict continued for more than three years. More than
9,000 lives were lost and thousands of buildings destroyed,
including residential houses, churches and mosques.

Interestingly, the clash was incensed by a seemingly trivial
incidence when a local minibus driver was involved in a dispute
with a passenger over the transportation fare.

Calm gradually returned to the otherwise peaceful province
after the government sponsored a peace truce in February 2002
dubbed the Malino II peace pact.