Military issues shoot on site orders in Maluku

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)