Fresh report add to Maluku's riot toll

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)