Clashes break out in Seram

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Communal clashes broke out in the village of Alang Asa Ude on Seram island, in the early hours of Saturday, leaving one army personnel dead, a local resident injured and at least 20 makeshift houses burned.

Deputy commander of 731 Kabaresi Infantry Battalion Maj. Syamsul confirmed the incident and identified the victims as Second Pvt. Emmanuel Huluk and civilian J. Muskita.

Seram island is located to the north of Maluku island.

The rioters, suspected to have come from a nearby island, came to the village when the residents of Alang Asa Ude were asleep. The armed rioters set the makeshift houses on fire and then attacked the panic-stricken residents.

In February, the village was also attacked by an unknown armed group during which houses were burned. Since then, the residents have had to live in makeshift shelters.

According to Syamsul, his 20-personnel-strong troop were involved in a 15-minute-long gunfight with the rioters in order to drive them out of the village. (49/emf)