Maluku communal clashes claim at least 217 lives
Maluku communal clashes claim at least 217 lives
AMBON, Maluku (JP): A total of 217 fatalities were recorded in
communal clashes across the province between July and September,
police said on Tuesday.
Maluku Police chief Col. Bugis Saman told a media conference
that the number of casualties was likely to be higher due to
unconfirmed reports by people of missing relatives.
"We have registered only identified casualties. There are many
reports of missing people or victims who remain unknown after
being buried."
Apart from the dead, which included a member of the security
personnel, 422 people sustained severe injuries and over 200
others suffered minor wounds during the three-month period, the
second phase of religious conflicts that have devastated the
archipelagic province.
More than 1,500 houses, 13 churches, seven mosques, five
government buildings and four school buildings were attacked, as
well as 21 cars, eight motorbikes and 57 three-wheeled motorized
vehicles.
About 350 people were killed in the first wave of clashes
which hit the province between January and March this year.
Violence initially broke out in the provincial capital Ambon and
spread to neighboring islands. It resumed in July in remote
islands and extended to Ambon.
Bugis, who has retained his post amid the turbulence in the
famed Spice Islands, said 86 people were arrested in connection
with the violence. He said 30 of them would be charged with
illegal possession of weapons.
Police seized 50 homemade rifles and bazookas, 708 arrows, 16
spears, 18 machetes, 157 swords and homemade bombs plus dozens of
bullets.
More than 31,000 people have fled their homes across the
province and are now sheltered in government offices, seaports,
mosques, churches and military installations.
Bugis' report came hours after seven people were wounded from
gunshots and a homemade bomb explosion in Ambon.
Witnesses said the clash occurred at 6 a.m. local time when a
group of people attacked residents in Hatiwe Kecil subdistrict,
about five kilometers from downtown. Many residents were still
asleep when the attack took place.
They said a number of security personnel opened fire on the
groups.
A Hatiwe Kecil resident, Jefry Nahumuri, said he was taken by
surprise and could not avoid being shot in the left calf. "I only
saw that the man was wearing a military beret," Jefry said.
Jefry and three of his neighbors were admitted to the private
Dr. Haulussy Hospital.
Chief of the local police Lt. Col. Ghufron could not be
reached for comment, but one of his staff, Sgt. Lodar, confirmed
the clash and said all the victims were treated at Haulussy
hospital.
Business, government and educational activities continued in
several areas despite the clash. (48)