New security operation to be tested in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku's civil emergency administrators have decided to try out a new type of security operation in an attempt to stop raids on villages following Sunday's attack on Kase village, Buru Island, which killed at least three people.

"In this operation, the combined law enforcement agencies -- military, police and prosecutors -- will maximize the use of intelligence units to identify assailants and their hiding places. If we have enough evidence, we will raid them," Governor Saleh Latuconsina told reporters after a meeting of Maluku provincial leaders on Wednesday.

Latuconsina said the authorities had located and identified the alleged perpetrators of the Kase unrest, but he declined to elaborate further.

He added that the security forces had been observing the hideouts of the assailants and attempting to gather evidence concerning their training camp.

"A team of investigators has been deployed to carry out intensive surveillance on the perpetrators' hideouts," he said.

One infantry battalion had been deployed along with a joint team of law enforcers to anticipate further attacks on Buru island, Saleh said.

Witnesses said the attackers in the Kase village incident arrived in two boats from waters to the east of the village, while others came from the direction of Nanfae Hau village, about nine kilometers away from Kase village.

Three persons died of gunshot wounds during the attack, while other villagers fled into the jungle to avoid the violence.

Latuconsina further said that security operations in the future would be different from regular security patrols as troops would be concentrated in the vicinity riot-prone enclaves.

The planned operations would also be concentrated on several disturbed border areas, like the areas between Tial and Suli villages, Paso and Waiheru villages, Laha and Tawiri villages, and between Batumerah and Mardika.

Latuconsina said he had sent warning letters to the illegal radio stations that had been airing provocative messages aimed at certain groups and at encouraging people to take up arms.

The radio stations had been given a deadline to stop broadcasting, but Latuconsina did not mention the exact date.

"If the warning is ignored, we will seize their broadcasting equipment," Latuconsina said.

When asked whether the police had taken action against the illegal radio stations, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani declined to comment.

Separately, Commander of the Indonesian Navy's Eastern Fleet Rear Adm. Sutarto said an integrated air and sea operation would be launched in a bid to maintain security in Maluku waters.

At least eight ships and three Nomad helicopters would be deployed as part of the operation.

Besides securing the Maluku waters' assets, the operation would also involve intercepting ships illegally entering Maluku waters and preventing attempts to smuggle weapons.

He cited that last week, the Naval vessel Kerapu managed to arrest a Philippine fishing boat that had allegedly illegally entered Maluku waters on a gunrunning mission.

Sutarto said four rifles, four pistols and various types of sharp weapons had been seized from the ship's crew.

"Two people were arrested during the incident and they have been handed over to the police for questioning," he said. (49/emf)