Four killed in most recent Ambon strife

AMBON, Maluku (JP): At least four people died and six were injured in a communal clash in Waylela and Kota Jawa in Teluk Ambon Baguala district of Ambon on Sunday afternoon.

The victims were rushed to Dr. Haulussy Hospital in Ambon with either gunshot wounds or injuries caused by sharp weapons.

Hospital sources identified the dead as Rev. Beri Latumerisa, Ronny Ririmase, Peter Malakusea and Falen Yamlean. They all reportedly died of gunshot wounds.

There was also a report of a body of an unidentified man, reportedly a resident of Desa Rumah Tiga. However, his body was left at the scene and was not taken to the hospital.

The incident broke out at 3 p.m. local time when several houses in Waylela were set a blaze by mobs.

The cause was unclear, but as mobs from two opposing sides faced each other a car full of people on their way home from Sunday Mass appeared and was caught in the middle of the melee.

The passengers were attacked, resulting in the death of the four people.

Officials were not available for comment, but witnesses at the scene said security forces managed to stop the commotion at about 7 p.m. local time.

Military personnel were forced to open fire to disperse the mob.

Communal clashes in riot-torn Maluku have claimed at least 700 lives and injured thousands since unrest first started in mid- January.

President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri visited the province last week and called for an end to the violence. (48/edt)