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.