Maluke tense again as 7 killed in violence

Maluke tense again as 7 killed in violence

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Tension has escalated in several areas in
Maluku province over the last two days following renewed violence
that left seven people killed and 17 houses burned on Tuesday.

Leader of Kairatu district on Seram island, Bram Udiata, said
in his report to the Civil Emergency Post on Tuesday that his
village had been attacked and the ensuing battle resulted in the
death of five of the attackers, a soldier and a local resident.

Bram said the armed attackers, coming from neighboring Kelapa
Dua and Pakarena areas, shelled the village with mortar fire and
homemade bombs.

Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani confirmed the
attack on Tuesday, but said security personnel repelled the
attackers after a few hours.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina said order had been restored
but deplored the fact that residents were prone to violence.

"The residents should have understood that there were parties
(provocateurs) who wished to incite them to anger," the civil
emergency leader said.

Latuconcina, Firman and the Pattimura Military Commander Brig.
Gen. I Made Yasa went to Jakarta on Tuesday to request troop
reinforcements and legal staff to fill vacant judge and
prosecutor positions.

Separately Maluku Military chief of staff Col. Agus Suyitno
said security personnel arrested 12 armed people aged between 12
and 23 years, all claiming to be members of the Yogyakarta-based
Lasykar Jihad (Jihad Force) Ahlussunah Wal Jamaah during a
crackdown on armed gangs following an attack on Gunung Nona and
Gunung Atas areas in Nusaniwe district in Ambon earlier in the
day.

Agus said the incident was initiated by armed gangs from Pohon
Mangga area, in Salobar district, also in Ambon.

From the suspects, security personnel confiscated ammunition
and standard military grenade launchers, 36 homemade weapons, a
bomb, four bulletproof vests, 11 pairs of boots, 63 bullets, and
dozens of toxic arrows and sharp weapons.

Later on Wednesday, thousands of Muslim residents in Waihaong
area, Sirimau district rallied in front of the Ambon Military
Command, protesting alleged abuse of the 12 suspects during
questioning.

Agus denied the allegations, saying the suspects were safe and
sound and offered medical checks to prove his words. (49/lup)