Tension rises after village clash

Tension rises after village clash

AMBON, Maluku: Tension prevailed on Friday in Haruku island,
Maluku, following a clash a day earlier between Kabauw and
Rohomoni subdistrict residents.

The sound of homemade bombs and gunfire was heard on Thursday
night and Friday morning in both neighboring subdistricts, but
there have been no reports of fatalities.

The incident began on Thursday afternoon after a Kabauw
resident was assaulted by a Rohomoni resident while both were
attending a religious gathering celebrating the anniversary of
the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in Rohomoni subdistrict.

The Kabauw residents became angry and fought back, said chief
of Ambon and Lease Island Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan
on Friday. Leonidas said that police tightened security in the
area to prevent violence from recurring. -- JP