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)