Sat, 29 Jan 2000

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)