Tensions still shroud Ambon

JAKARTA (JP): Tensions continued to shroud the riot-torn Maluku capital of Ambon on Tuesday following the discovery of the bodies of a man and a woman with stab wounds, while there were rumors circulating that Muslims were gearing up for a protest.

Maluku Police spokesman Maj. Jekriel Philip told The Jakarta Post by phone from the Ambon headquarters that the two were identified as Marlen Sitanala and Lukas Paliama.

"They were attacked on Monday night and found in the Galunggung area this morning," Jekriel said.

Noya Sileo Bistos at the Maranatha riot monitoring post told the Post that Marlen, 30, was a lecturer of the local Pattimura University Law School.

Witnesses said the city was tense as both Muslims and Christians set up roadblocks in their neighborhoods, checking passing vehicles in anticipation of the eruption of renewed violence.

"We heard that Muslims were to stage a protest against Monday's incident in Ahuru, but so far we have not seen any signs of this," Noya said.

Reports on Tuesday indicated that a number of Muslims were shot dead by police officers during sectarian clashes in Ahuru.

Some reports circulated to the effect that a number of people were shot at dawn prayers inside a mosque in Ahuru early on Monday.

Jekriel, however, denied the media reports, saying the two people killed in these clashes were about 100 meters away from the Muhajirin Mosque. Their bodies were later taken to the mosque.

"We will hold a press conference for local journalists here Tuesday afternoon to clarify the matter," Jekriel said.

He also said that one battalion of Marines from Surabaya, East Java, was scheduled to arrive in Ambon on Tuesday afternoon to reinforce about 1,000 troops from the Army's Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) and the police elite Mobile Brigade already stationed in the city.

Spokesman for the National Police, Brig. Gen. Togar Sianipar, said in a statement on Tuesday that a number of people taking refuge at the Muhajirin Mosque had reported seeing drops of blood in the mosque.

"Rumors then spread that the victims were shot by security personnel during their dawn prayers," Togar said in a press statement on Tuesday

The police insisted media reports that the shooting took place when Muslims were at prayer were inaccurate.

Police said about 200 people from Ahuru armed with petrol bombs, arrows, machetes and knives attacked nearby Rinjani village early on Monday.

"A group of 10 police and troops were deployed to the area to control the riot," the police said.

Police said at least two people were killed and three more injured after security personnel opened fire to disperse the crowd in Ahuru on Monday.

Police said that local military leaders have handed over two police personnel, Sgt. Maj. Benny Tutumutu and First Sgt. Anwar, and an army soldier, First Sgt. Simamora, to the military police for questioning.

Military police have also been questioning another witness, Ahmad Leti, the statement said.

Police said that at least five people were killed in a number of clashes in Ambon on Monday. They were identified as Armin Fa'ani, Mul Ikhrom, Husain bin Umar, Usman Wakano and John Deparlila.

Police said seven more people were also injured in Monday's clashes. These were identified as Zulkifli bin Umar, Dullah Wabnebu, Kadir Pellu, Mat Rery, David Kastanya, Pieter Malauw and Berty Latumeten.

A staffer at the Bhayangkara Hospital said on Monday that Berty's left hand was chopped off and his attackers took it away with them.

Police also said a mosque and 26 houses were set on fire in Ahuru on Monday.

At least 23 people have been confirmed killed in the renewed Muslim-Christian clashes which broke out on Feb. 23 in downtown Batu Merah village.

Thousands of people have taken refuge in mosques, churches, military installations and other government buildings in Ambon while thousands of others have fled the city on ships for their hometowns in Southeast Sulawesi and South Sulawesi.

About 500 people arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta seaport in the South Sulawesi capital of Ujungpandang on Tuesday under tight military escort.

Authorities have said that more than 150 people have been killed and more than 350 others injured since the Muslim- Christian clashes erupted in the province in mid-January.

They also said that about 3,360 houses have been set on fire in the weeks of violence which have brought on about Rp 500 billion in material losses.

The violence was initially sparked by a dispute between a Muslim migrant and a local Christian driver of a public minibus on Jan. 19.

It then quickly degenerated into full-scale rioting pitting members of the two communities against one another.(byg/emf/27)