Four killed in most recent Ambon strife

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)