One dead, three still missing in Ambon riot

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)