Renewed violence in Ambon following Christmas celebrations

AMBON, Maluku (JP): A post-Christmas clash involving large groups of people rocked Ambon on Sunday; one building was burned but no fatalities were reported.

Eyewitnesses said two groups of Muslim and Christians confronted each other at 5:00 p.m. along the road from the crossroads close to the Silo Protestant Church to the downtown Pohon Pule bridge. "A collision between a local transit vehicle and a motorcycle on Jl. AM Sangaji triggered the fighting," a local, who wanted to be anonymous, told The Jakarta Post.

Security guards fired warning shots but they failed to disperse the crowds, the resident said. "Soon after the warning shots homemade bombs could be heard exploding."

The incident took place only meters away from the Silo Church, forcing church events to be canceled.

Unconfirmed reports said one person was killed and many more were being treated in hospital for their injuries as a result of the violence.

The rival groups dispersed after two Army armored vehicles arrived at the scene.

Meanwhile, reports from the island of Buru said on Sunday that besides the 22 people killed in last Wednesday's conflict, 55 people were still confirmed as missing.

Sgt. Ridwan of the Namlea Police subprecinct said on Sunday the 55 people were traveling from Buru Utara Barat in a large bus and a transit van heading for Buru Utara Timur when the bloody clash took place. "Not one of them has returned home," the officer said.

Maluku Police confirmed that 22 people were killed and five severely injured, while over 170 houses and a place of worship were burned down in the unrest.

The regent of Buru Dudi Sangaji could not be reached for confirmation. He was reportedly in Jakarta.

The Buru fray started after a fight between two youths, a resident of Wainabe village in Buru Utara Barat and a Pelauw villager on Haruku island, Maluku Police spokesman Maj. Philipus Jackriel earlier said. The Pelauw youth worked at a timber firm in Wainibe.

Shortly after the fight, thousands of people from several villages in Bru Utara Barat attacked Safana Jaya and Baikoseku villages and a transmigration camp, Jackriel said.

The province of Maluku, which consists of many islands, has been rocked by fatal conflict between Christians and Muslims for almost one year, leaving hundreds of people dead.

National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi said last week that the police could not keep sending reinforcements to safeguard each island, "otherwise we will run out of personnel". (48/sur)