Cavalry called in, brawl erupts

Cavalry called in, brawl erupts

AMBON, Maluku: Army soldiers and police officers were fought a
pitched battle at dawn on Monday in Ambon city, leaving three
civilians injured.

The brawl broke out as a wedding reception was winding down
into the wee hours in Nusaniwe district of the city.

According to witnesses, the melee began after the groom,
Lukman Nawi, a police officer, told an Army soldier to stop
smoking while dancing in the crowded wedding area. The Army man
reportedly became enraged and began punching police officers. As
the officers retaliated, the soldiers three colleagues joined the
fray and the fight was on.

A group of civilian residents, along with the officers,
eventually managed to overwhelm the soldier and his three
cohorts, prompting them to flee the dance floor and split the
scene.

However, in a shocking turn of events, a larger group of
military personnel from a nearby cavalry unit in the city
returned to the wedding and attacked the revelers, both civilians
and police, in attendance.

In addition to the three injured civilians, at least six
houses and eight cars were wrecked after the cavalry was called
in.

No arrests or suspensions have been made, but the incidents
are being investigated by police and military authorities in the
formerly riot-torn city. -- JP