Three injured in grenade explosion

Three injured in grenade explosion

INDONESIA: Two unidentified motorcyclists threw a grenade at a
group of people congregated along the roadside in Lateri hamlet,
Teluk Ambon Baguala district, Ambon, on Saturday, injuring three
people and causing panic among residents.

Two of the victims, Dudi Mimi and Julius Moses, were only
slightly injured. However, the third victim, Simon Usmani,
sustained serious head, arm and leg injuries.

Police officer Second Insp. George Siahaya confirmed that the
explosion was caused by a grenade after fragments of the grenade
were found at the scene.

The victims were from Waai village, Salahutu district. They
had been in Lateri attending a party and were waiting for a bus
to take them home when the incident occurred.

Ambon and Lease Islands Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Leonidas
Braksan said the police had questioned seven witnesses but "the
information given by the witnesses was not clear." He said he
assumed the attack was intended to provoke local people.

At least 9,000 people died in a sectarian conflict between
Christians and Muslims in the area between 1999 and 2001. A peace
pact put a halt to the prolonged clashes but sporadic violence
still continues in the region. -- JP