Fresh violence kills 17 people in Central Maluku

Fresh violence kills 17 people in Central Maluku

AMBON, Maluku (JP): While a truce seems to have taken hold in
most parts of Maluku, violence returned to Central Maluku over
the past few days, leaving 17 people dead and several others
injured.

Maluku military commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela said on
Friday 32 alleged rioters had been arrested following clashes in
two villages from Wednesday to Thursday night.

Security authorities also confiscated dozens of sharp weapons,
homemade rifles and bombs as evidence, Tamaela added.

"I have ordered military troops to shoot on sight any
individual who is trying to instigate a riot," Tamaela said.

The first incident erupted when armed mobs threw homemade
bombs at houses in Soahaku village in Amahai district and began
attacking people.

"The clash only ceased on Thursday night, after 15 people were
killed, 13 of whom were the aggressors," Tamaela said.

Also on Thursday in the same district, a group of men attacked
a migrant resettlement area near Waitia village in Masohi, the
main town on the island of Seram, killing a 60-year-old man and
his wife. The man was identified as Sepa.

Meanwhile in Ambon, a mob in Paso village burned a public
minivan they believed was transporting instigators on Friday
morning.

Tamaela also said four days of sectarian violence on the
island of Bacan in North Maluku between Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 left
49 dead and 25 injured.

Maluku has been hit by clashes between Muslims and Christians
since mid-January last year. More than 2,000 people have died and
hundreds of thousands more have fled their homes.

Tamaela also said on Friday there were strong indications that
certain parties were trying to maintain disorder and create
disturbances in Maluku.

"We have repeatedly received anonymous calls warning about the
spread of attacks. Sporadic shootings by unidentified snipers
have also occurred from time to time," he said.

Political interests

In a related development, Bambang W. Soeharto, who chairs the
inquiry on violence in Maluku, said on Friday certain national
and local political interests continued to stir unrest on the
North Maluku islands of North Halmahera, Ternate and Tidore.

"We observe political benefits being pursued by certain
religious groups backed by central groups, such as in the case of
regional autonomy and the future position of the Maluku
governor," Bambang told Antara.

The team, visiting North Maluku, also suggested the central
and local governments soon activate administrative functions in
restive areas such as Tobelo.

"The riot-torn area was completely deserted. The recovery of
administrative instruments followed by stern law enforcement by
security forces is a must to end the violence and restore order,"
Bambang said.

Separately, Sultan of Ternate Mudaffar Syah protested on
Friday his dismissal from the North Maluku legislative council by
the legislators for his alleged role in the sectarian conflict.

"It's unconstitutional because the council does not have the
power to fire a legislator before the court finds him or her
guilty of a crime," Mudaffar told private television station SCTV
on Friday evening. (49/edt)