Eight killed in two-day Ambon riot

Eight killed in two-day Ambon riot

JAKARTA (JP): At least eight people were killed in two days of
clashes in the riot-torn Maluku capital of Ambon which started
Tuesday, Antara reported on Wednesday.

The news agency said that five people were killed on Tuesday
and a further three died and dozens were injured on the second
day of violence with religious overtones on Wednesday.

The agency said the victims were Anthoni Lopulalan, Marthen
Nikile and Charles Hitipeuw. Anthoni died from an arrow wound to
his left chest, Marthen of a bullet wound to the chest while
Charles had a gunshot wound in his abdomen.

Authorities could not be contacted for confirmation on
Wednesday.

Violence broke out in downtown Batu Merah village on Tuesday
after a number of houses owned by Christians were set on fire by
what were believed to be petrol bombs thrown from an overlooking
hill.

Meanwhile the Indonesian Communion of Churches stated on
Tuesday that the unprofessional conduct of the security forces
has led to the deep suspicion that they "were allowing religious
sentiments to develop."

Both Muslims and Christians have charged security forces with
being "discriminatory."

"Our facts show that ... while security forces set up
barricades around one residential area, they do not prevent
violence in other sites," the statement of the communion said.

The agency said the latest clash started around 3 a.m. with
Muslim groups in the downtown Batu Merah neighborhood involved in
the attack with petrol bombs with which they torched homes.

Security forces fired shots to disperse residents who emerged
carrying machetes and other weapons following the petrol
bombings.

Neli, a staff member at the emergency ward of the Haulusi
General Hospital in Ambon told The Jakarta Post Wednesday that
the hospital had admitted at least 20 injured victims in the two
days of clashes.

"At least 16 people are still being treated here; eight of
them were admitted to the hospital this morning," Neli said,
adding that most had gunshot wounds.

She said the victims were not only Batu Merah villagers but
also came from the nearby villages of Passo, Ahuru and Kuda Mati.

"We have been staying at the hospital since Tuesday and we
remain afraid to go out because the situation is still unstable,"
Neli said.

She added that dozens of troops and police elite mobile
brigade personnel were also still to be seen on the streets.

Tommy Halauwet, a Jakarta-based surgeon visiting Ambon, told
The Post that at least 10 more people were also treated for
bullet wounds at the Maluku Protestant Church.

"They told me that security personnel first fired warning
shots but they then opened fire on the villagers," Tommy, who
arrived in the city with his 11 colleagues on Sunday to help
local medical teams, said. He added there was a dearth of medical
staff.

Tommy said that his team was divided into three units to help
a number of hospitals in the city and nearby areas.

"I also treated a number of people at the Haulusi General
Hospital this morning ... they arrived continually," Tommy said,
adding that a team of doctors was sent to the nearby island of
Saparua on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Antara reported that Maluku Police chief Col.
Karyono on Wednesday repeatedly appealed for calm among city
residents.

Karyono also requested security personnel and the locals clear
the streets of roadblocks erected earlier by residents. People
were also no longer permitted to wear red or white ribbons; red
here represents the Christians, while white is identified with
the Muslims.

Residents had worn ribbons in an effort to protect themselves
since the violence first broke out last month.

Police with loudspeakers patrolled in cars urging people to
stay in their homes and lay down their weapons. Authorities
issued similar appeals on state-owned TVRI.

More than 100 people have died in Maluku province, mostly in
communal clashes which have also left massive damage to
residences and public facilities, while thousands have fled their
homes.

The violence was initially sparked by a dispute between a
Muslim migrant and a local Christian driver of a public minibus
on Jan 19. Subsequent clashes have seen the involvement of
various communities in the province. (byg)