Military issues shoot on site orders in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku (JP): With no alternative available to stop the violence in Maluku province, including its capital of Ambon, Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa said here on Saturday that those instigating riots would be shot on sight.

Made Yasa announced after a meeting to evaluate the three- month state of civil emergency that the authorities had no other choice. "The Hative Besar village incident will be the last," he said, referring to clashes in Hative Besar on Ambon island, where 19 people were killed early last week.

"I'd like to say sorry to all the people who the military will have to shoot on sight for instigating unrest. Don't blame us for that. This is an order," he said.

"The state of civil emergency regulations must also be respected. Meetings involving more than 10 people are prohibited, and the curfew in certain (violence-prone) areas must not be violated."

In such areas people are prohibited from leaving their homes after 10 p.m. local time.

This is not the first time the military has issued shoot-on- sight orders. However, security personnel did not follow through on previous orders, leading to the military and police being accused of impartiality.

Responding to the accusation, Made Yasa said: "We will take stern measures. Help us with adequate evidence."

He said that three police officers were being questioned over a deadly attack on a boat.

Saturday's meeting was led by Governor Saleh Latuconsina, who is also the administrator of the state of civil emergency.

Latuconsina was quoted by Made Yasa as saying that many shortcomings had been found in the implementation of the state of civil emergency from June 27 to Sept. 27.

The governor also complained about the limited number of judges and prosecutors in Ambon, said Made Yasa. There were now only five judges left. Most of them have fled to safer places.

"We also have limited detention rooms. Many people suspected of instigating or involvement in riots are still free," Made Yasa said, adding that the central government had promised to send more prosecutors and judges.

Meanwhile, the city of Ambon remains tense. Early on Sunday a mortar was fired at a residential area in Urimesing, in downtown Ambon.

"The shell hit a resident's house, destroying the kitchen. The house is just 300 meters from Pattimura Military Command Headquarters," a local said.

On Saturday, as the meeting at the gubernatorial office was taking place, two warring groups were preparing to fight each other. Soldiers fire warning shots and two armor vehicles arrived to disperse the crowd. (49/sur)