More unrest in Ambon

More unrest in Ambon

AMBON, Maluku: Violence erupted once again here on Thursday
when motorists were attacked and speedboat passengers shot by
rioters in separate incidents, resulting in at least one death
and 14 injuries.

The first incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. as a group packed
the street around a mosque in Batumerah village, Sirimau
subdistrict, causing traffic congestion.

However the crowd suddenly turned violent and attacked passing
cars, injuring several of the motorists.

Two men, Yusuf Anakotapary and Yan Wattimena, who were riding
together on a motorcycle were among those attacked. Their fate
remains unknown.

A spokesman for the Civil Emergency Post, John Tomasoa, said
the families of the two men have reported them missing.

John said that the military and the Maluku branch of
Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) were investigating the case.

Later in the afternoon at around 4 p.m., armed men from the
direction of Rumahtiga and Poka village beach at the Ambon Gulf
began indiscriminately shooting.

Details of the incident remain sketchy but it is known that
one man, Yan Sopacua, 41, was killed. About 10 others have been
taken for treatment at Ambon Navy Hospital at Halong. (49/hdn)