Fresh report add to Maluku's riot toll

JAKARTA (JP): At least 12 died in an additional clash in Ambon, Antara reported Tuesday. The agency said a military vehicle from Ambon traveled to the village of Benteng Karang last week to bury 12 people, including a number of women and children, who were allegedly killed in clashes there which reportedly occurred last week.

The agency quoted a local priest from the Baguala district, Stefanus Sabon, as saying the fatalities from this recent spate of violence could be at least 40. The deaths are in addition to the latest police tally of 54. Stefanus said he had received reports from refugees from Telagakodok village, 40 kilometers north of Ambon.

However, Ambon's bishop, Petrus C. Mandagi, said on Tuesday that he was still unable to confirm reports on the recent massacre of villagers.

The news agency also reported that about 1,300 people from Benteng Karang, Telagakodok and other nearby areas had taken refuge in a local military complex.

Meanwhile police say they are investigating whether instigators of the violence in Ambon have links with people in Jakarta.

Maluku Police Chief Col. Karyono was quoted by Antara as saying at least 54 people had been found dead since the outbreak of violence began on Tuesday last week, adding the toll could rise further. Local authorities could not be contacted to confirm the latest reported clashes.

Separately, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar Sianipar said 32 suspects had been named, identified as people from mainly three areas in the province, Ambon, Dobo and Saumelaki. Ninety others were still being investigated, he told reporters here.

Several religious leaders have cited reports that thugs and hoodlums belonging to a Jakarta organization were involved in the riots, but they have not named the organization or its leaders.

On Tuesday, National Police detective unit chief Maj. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said dozens of detainees had been identified as Maluku hoodlums.

"We are still investigating whether they have links to groups of hoodlums in Jakarta," he said on the sidelines of a discussion on violence against women here.

He added that detectives have visited Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid to gain clarification of his statement on Monday that he knew the masterminds behind the series of violence since the fall of president Soeharto in May.

The Ambon violence last week was sparked by a fight between a Muslim migrant and a local Christian bus driver. The incident quickly degenerated into full-scale riots between members of both religious communities. More than 100 people were wounded.

Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar Sianpar said material losses from rioting in Ambon reached Rp 500 billion.

Antara reported that Ambon was calm on Tuesday. But because supplies from Ambon had been halted by the violence, people in the neighboring island of Seram were beginning to experience shortages of kerosene and food.

Meanwhile in Gabion in Belawan, North Sumatra, fresh violence between Acehnese and Batak people on Monday evening claimed at least one life and injured a police corporal.

At least nine street kiosks were also damaged in the brawl.

Gen. Togar said that the violence was sparked by a rumor that an Acehnese was killed by Batak people.

The victim was identified as Basri Ishak, 19, a fisherman from Pidie. His death was reportedly caused by a trivial dispute between employees in which one stole the shoe of his colleague at a fishing company. However, rumors spread that an Acehnese was tortured by a Batak man. (byg/edt/emf/21)