One dead, three still missing in Ambon riot

AMBON, Maluku (JP): A man was found dead with multiple stab wounds, while three others were still missing on Thursday following the latest sectarian conflict involving Christians and Muslims in Waihaong subdistrict here.

The discovery of Daniel Pati Kaihatu's body on the seashore of Waihaong brings the death toll resulting from the communal clashes on Wednesday to three.

Local residents identified the missing as Rido Tesireroi, Nico Bernard and Pius Sarkol.

The clashes erupted just hours following Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri's departure from Maluku after her two-day visit aimed at promoting peace here.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina urged security forces to search for the missing men.

"I have also called on the authorities to provide accurate information on the number of victims since uncertainty could provoke people," Saleh said.

He confirmed that three people have died but claimed to be uninformed about people who were being held hostage.

The governor acknowledged that the latest outbreak of violence was confusing, due to the fact that a peace accord between Muslims in Waihaong and Christians in Batu Mati subdistricts had previously been agreed upon.

The clash broke a period of peace following 15 months of bloodshed which claimed at least 2,000 people on the Maluku islands.

"It shows that some people here still don't want peace," Saleh said.

The armed clash was a big blow to efforts to restore peace by youths from several warring neighborhoods of Kuda Mati, Batu Merah and Galunggung Waihaong.

The violence began when a mob suddenly attacked a parade of pedicab drivers and youths who were supporting the peace talks in Waihaong.

Berti Diaz and Rido Nikijuluw were killed in the clash, while several others were injured in the unrest. (49/jun)