Evacuation of villages begins following unrest
Evacuation of villages begins following unrest
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Police and military personnel started to
evacuate about 2,000 residents on Thursday from ravaged Waai
village and the Salahutu hill area in Central Maluku regency
following savage attacks earlier this week.
At least two people died in the evacuation, bringing the death
toll to at least 25 people since an attack by a group of men in
military uniforms in Waai village on Tuesday.
Mrs. Ne Suitela, 82, and her two-month-old grandson, Markus
Suitela, died due to cold and starvation as the group of refugees
trekked through a harsh 60-kilometer route through the jungle in
order to get to neighboring Suli and Paso villages.
The refugees arrived at Suli at about noon and some 20 people
were rushed to Halong Naval Hospital for immediate treatment.
Data gathered from crisis posts in Suli and Paso villages
revealed that there were still about 4,000 Waai locals around
Salahutu mountain area hoping to be evacuated.
The area is about 1,038 meters above sea level.
"I have asked the security units, including a landing craft
and the KRI Tongkol warship not to leave the remaining locals on
the mountain as we also plan to transport them by sea," Maluku
Governor Saleh Latuconsina said on Thursday.
Air Force helicopters dropped food supplies at refugee
shelters in Salahutu Mountain, deputy governor for social welfare
Paula Renyaan said.
Women and children are said to be the first priority in the
evacuation.
"Who is able to guarantee their safety? They will be an easy
target for the armed rioters if they stay," Latuconsina said
referring on the likelihood of them soon returning to their home
villages.
The governor also revealed that he had received reports that
Kampung Alang Asaude in Seram Barat district, Seram island, had
been attacked at 6:30 a.m.
"The information only came on Thursday as the village is
located in a remote area. About 200 houses plus several school
buildings were burned down by attackers who came from nearby
villages.
"I have ordered Air Force helicopters to secure the area."
Kampung Alang Asaude, which is known to be inhabited by
predominantly Christian residents, is sandwiched between two
other villages on the island.
About 270 families or approximately 1,400 people fled their
homes to the jungle. Data on casualties in the attack were not
immediately available, Latuconsina added.
Meanwhile, in Ambon, authorities have imposed a one-month
isolation on the ports in the province, barring passenger ships
belonging to state shipping line PT Pelni, namely the KM Rinjani,
KM Dobonsolo, KM Bukit Siguntang and KM Lambelu.
"These ships are barred from entering ports in Ambon and
others in Maluku province from Aug. 10 through Sept. 10,"
Latuconsina said.
"The main reason is because the minor isolation imposed in
Ambon is not effective enough to prevent 'unwanted outsiders' and
weapons smuggling," Latuconsina explained.
"Tanker ships carrying goods, however, are allowed to enter
Maluku as it is far easier to check and control the items rather
than dealing with people," he added. (49/edt)