Four die in Ambon clash

AMBON, Maluku: A clash broke out between residents of the neighboring villages of Porto and Haria in Central Maluku on Wednesday, leaving four people dead and nine others injured.

Police identified two of the fatalities as Buce Sahertian and Punggul Sahertian. The other two have yet to be identified.

Governor Saleh Latuconsina confirmed the report, saying the fight among the Christian community on Saparua island was triggered by an argument between residents of the two villages, which ended up with a Porto villager being shot and wounded.

A platoon of Mobile Brigade police officers was deployed to restore order.

Medical workers rushed the four most seriously wounded people to Ambon for medical treatment.

An earlier clash between the two villages occurred early last month, leaving three people dead and one house burned down. -- JP