Maluku conflict continues

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Communal violence on Buru Island in riot- torn Maluku spread to Buru Utara Timur district on Thursday following deadly clashes in the neighboring district of Buru Utara Barat.

Official data released by the Maluku Police revealed that at least 22 people were killed and five severely injured, while 173 houses and a place of worship were set ablaze by a mob.

Unconfirmed sources, however, stated that at least 43 people died and 39 others were wounded in the fray.

The remote island, formerly home to political prisoners linked to the 1965 Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) coup attempt, remained tense on Thursday due to sporadic conflicts.

Maluku Police spokesman Maj. Philipus Jackriel, said dozens of the National Police's Mobile Brigade, Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), and Pattimura Military Command personnel had been deployed to restore order.

Jackriel said the unrest was sparked by a fight between two youths, a resident of Wainabe village in Buru Utara Barat and a Pelauw villager on Haruku island on Wednesday about 1 p.m.

The Pelauw youth, who worked at a timber firm in Wanibe, punched the local resident, Jackriel said.

The identity of the two youths is unknown.

"But shortly after the fight, thousands of people from several villages in Buru Utara Barat attacked the villages of Safana Jaya and Waikosek and a transmigrant settlement area," Jackriel said.

Dozens of residents have fled their violence-ridden homeland. Some of them were seen being evacuated to the provincial capital of Ambon by navy ships. Telecommunication systems did not work due to the violence.

Governor Saleh Latuconsina asserted on Thursday that the dispute was a reprisal waged by some Ambon residents who had been involved in the prolonged riots in the town.

"They moved to Buru island and later instigated the riot," Saleh told media, adding that he had difficulties monitoring the situation due to the telecommunication problems.

In Jakarta, National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi told the media that a peace agreement between conflicting Muslim and Christian groups had been reached. He ruled out the possibility of sending reinforcement troops to Maluku.

"There are just too many islands. We cannot keep sending reinforcements to safeguard each island, otherwise we'll run out of personnel," Roesmanhadi said on Thursday. (48/ylt/edt)