Three die as Ambon conflict nears military HQ

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Three people were killed on Tuesday as sectarian clashes in Ambon moved closer to the military headquarters in downtown Ambon, witnesses said.

In the latest fighting, heavily armed rioters penetrated the predominantly Christian Diponegoro and Mangga Dua districts, ransacking houses and setting fire to buildings and schools, they said.

Malik Selang, the secretary of the Ambon office of the Indonesian Ulemas Council, said three people were shot dead by snipers during the fray. He did not provide any further details of the casualties.

The private Bakti Rahayu Hospital said it was treating four people, including a young girl, who were injured when their houses were attacked by mortars and grenades.

A local journalist described the situation as worse than before the imposition of a state of civil emergency on June 27.

"Rioters freely roam the streets, burning the Diponegoro area, which is only 30 meters away from Pattimura Military Headquarters," he said by phone.

The two districts are home to the official residence of the Pattimura Military chief, the Maluku Police chief and the Maluku governor.

"Never before in the entire 18 months of the conflict have the rioters got so close to vital compounds such as Pattimura Military Headquarters," he said.

Hundreds of people, meanwhile, sought refuge in the yard of the governor's residence, some retreated to nearby Jl. Setiabudi while others fled to the hills, he said.

Security forces were seen guarding the perimeters of the Diponegoro district, which had been the city's center of activity.

Commerce and the government were paralyzed on Tuesday, and Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina reportedly moved his office to his residence.

Antara, meanwhile, quoted Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa as admitting he was overwhelmed by the conflict, especially with reports that some of his troops were taking part in the clashes.

"I will consolidate the troops. If any of them are taking sides, I will send them home," he said.

The news agency also quoted Navy spokesman Commodore T. Oentowiryo as saying Navy warships stopped 48 boats carrying weapons and ammunition from entering Maluku's waters on Sunday.

This brought the total number of boats transporting arms stopped by the Navy to 67 since the declaration of a state of civil emergency. (49/edt)