Seven killed, dozen hurt in new Ambon violence

JAKARTA (JP): At least seven people were killed and many more injured in the Maluku capital of Ambon on Saturday after troops opened fire to disperse battling mobs of Christians and Muslims.

A local journalist told The Jakarta Post by phone the latest violence erupted in the Batumerah area of Ambon before noon, during a procession of people carrying a torch symbolizing the spirit of Pattimura, a hero who led a rebellion against Dutch rule in the early 19th century.

He said a Muslim group from Batumerah carrying the torch to the main celebration site in downtown Ambon refused to hand the torch over as scheduled to a Christian group from the neighboring Mardika area.

The journalist said Muslims traditionally have carried the torch to a field where the ceremony honoring Pattimura is held. But this year local organizers said Christians would carry the torch to the field.

Batumerah has been the center of months of clashes between Muslims and Christians in Ambon and other islands in the province. More than 300 people have died since the clashes first erupted in mid-January.

Saturday's violence occurred only three days after the conflicting parties signed a peace deal in a ceremony attended by Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Wiranto.

Antara said troops opened fire to disperse the battling crowds, but angry mobs ran to nearby areas and set a number of houses on fire. At least five cars also were vandalized.

Chris Relmasira, head of Protestant Maluku Church Hospital, told the Post at least 3 people died of gunshot wounds at the hospital.

"At least 13 people suffering from gunshot wounds were admitted to the hospital. Three died, four are still being treated and six were discharged earlier in the afternoon," Chris said.

He said the three who died were teenagers Agus Manuputih, Franky Pitris and Kormasela.

Randi, a staff member at Ambon General Hospital, said William Manuhutu died at the hospital while three other victims were still being treated. A nurse at Bakti Rahayu Hospital said three people died at her hospital.

"They were Peter Anloy, 40, Simon Watimena, 48, and Albert Pitipeuw, 45," Lin told the Post.

The local journalist said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Soebagyo Hadisiswoyo was in the city when the violence broke out on Saturday to preside over the inauguration of a new military command.

"The ceremony went on as scheduled amid the sound of warning shots and smoke," he said.

Maluku previously was under the Trikora Military Command based in the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura.

Benny, a staffer from the Indonesian Red Cross who has been in Ambon since March to carry out relief operations, told the Post that as night fell the city was still tense and the streets were deserted. (byg)