Renewed violence in Ambon following Christmas celebrations
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)