Public cautioned over landmines

Public cautioned over landmines

AMBON, Maluku: Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko Danu
Ardianto called on local residents on Monday to be on the alert
for landmines planted in public places, admitting that his
department did not have the necessary equipment to detect
landmines.

"The residents should be alert because the recent explosions
in Suli village were caused by landmines planted on pathways,"
Soenarko was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said the police would cooperate with the Pattimura Military
Command, led by Maj. Gen. Djoko Santoso, in tackling the landmine
problem.

Soenarko also urged the public to alert security officials if
they found anything suspicious, especially in the forest.

At least four people have been killed and eight others
injured, including military personnel, by landmines over the past
two months in Ambon.

Separately, Djoko said that he was still waiting for a mine
detector to be sent from Jakarta. --Antara