Clashes erupt in Ambon

AMBON, Maluku: At least three people were injured when a series of incidents erupted in Ambon over the weekend.

Gunfire and explosions hit the Mangga Dua area, home to the official residence of Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani and Pattimura Military chief Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

An electricity pole was damaged near the governor's residence, causing a blackout in the area.

"We have checked the incident and it turned out that groups of unidentified armed men were moving from the Mangga Dua Bawah and Diponegoro Atas areas," Maj. Martin Luther, spokesman of the civil emergency post, said adding that four armored vehicles had been deployed to the area.

Sandra Urial, a paramedic at Bakti Rahayu Hospital, was shot in the arm during the incident.

Later, armed mobs pelted passing public transportation vehicles traveling from Air Salobar to downtown Ambon, injuring a commuter named Judith Talakua.

At about 3 p.m. local time, Sgt. Edmon Sapulete was shot in the chest when he tried to disperse a crowd of youths on Jl. Paradise and Jl. Pattimura. He was rushed to Dr. Haulussy General Hospital.

The trail of incidents ended up with the burning of a gasoline kiosk in the Paradise area late on Saturday.

As of Sunday night, gunfire and explosions were still being heard in parts of the city.(49/edt)