Mines, ammunition found in Maluku
Mines, ammunition found in Maluku
Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku
A group of soldiers from the Army's 11/BS Airborne Unit in Ambon
discovered six active mines, hand grenades, a gun and more than
50 rounds of ammunition in an area near a Roman Catholic church
in Ahuru, Sirimau district.
They did not know who owned the arms but said they would carry
out a search because they believed more arms and ammunition were
still hidden in the village, following recent sectarian conflict
between Muslims and Christians.
Chief of the airborne unit Maj. Harris Sarjana said that the
discovery on Friday of the arms followed the finding by a
villager of a high-intensity explosive on Thursday near the area.
He reported it to a nearby military post in the district.
"We shall continue the search for other arms that may have
been hidden after the sectarian conflict," he said, adding that
he would request a special team defuse the mines.
He called on residents of the village to remain alert for
possible explosives or mines that could explode if stepped on.
Harris alleged that many people from the two conflicting
factions still held arms through fear of fresh violence.
"Locals should cooperate with security authorities in
anticipation of possible new conflict and we shall provide
protection for those who report civilians holding firearms,
explosives or other weapons," he said.
In addition, people in Ambon Bay district also found two hand-
made explosives, the ownership of which has not yet been claimed.
Separately, chief of the Pattimura Military Command overseeing
Maluku Maj. Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo called on locals to
hand over any arms they might be holding to help avoid new
violence on the eve of the gubernatorial election.
"The local military will seize illegal arms kept by anyone,
and those who refuse to hand over their arms to security
authorities will be taken to court," he said.
The local police and military plan to deploy 3,000 personnel
to maintain security and order on the eve of the gubernatorial
election, as well as to avoid new conflict in the province.
The conflict, which has brought devastation to the province
over the last three years, is related to the governorship, as the
last governor, Saleh Latuconsina, whose tenure ended last
September, was a Muslim.