Three villages in Ambon set on fire

AMBON, Maluku (JP): State Pattimura University and three surrounding villages were set on fire by armed attackers as violence intensified here on Tuesday.

Hundreds of houses and four churches went up in flames.

No immediate casualties were reported in the violence, which broke out in the predominantly-Christian villages of Poka, Rumahtiga and Wailela early on Monday and continued through Tuesday.

Halong Naval Hospital director Nelson Pandaleke said at least one people died and 12 others were injured in the rioting, and added that the number of victims was likely to increase.

The disputed area housed the 30-hectare campus of Pattimura University, the most prestigious university in Maluku.

Numbering in the thousands, armed attackers descended from the predominantly-Muslim Jasirah Leihitu, Batu Merah and Galunggung areas. They attacked the villages from three directions from 5 a.m. local time.

At about 10 a.m., the armed rioters forced their way onto the Pattimura University campus and started firing mortars and bombs.

"No troops were available when the rioters arrived. They just kept on ransacking and destroying the villages and sprayed bullets everywhere," Robert, a survivor from Poka, said.

"They burned everything," he said.

Rioters were seen busily traversing the Ambon waters to their base in Waehaong, while a nearby patrol ship apparently did nothing.

Fire ravaged buildings along a one-kilometer route at the foot of the Wailela hills to Poka and Rumahtiga late on Monday, leaving a bright yellow reflection on the waters off Teluk Ambon Baguala.

No fire engines were available as most emergency vehicles were vandalized or destroyed in previous riots.

Thick smoke covered Ambon's skies, as thousands of refugees, mostly women and children, sought refuge on the southern shore of Ambon in nearby Galala, Halong, Lateri and Paso subdistricts.

Some sought shelter at Pattimura Military's Zeni battalion base in Rumahtiga, which was among the few buildings in the area left standing.

Witnesses said the university was destroyed by fire at about 9:30 p.m. local time. The main building, administration office, the library and schools of law, social and political sciences, economics, forestry, agriculture, engineering, a laboratory, a gymnasium, the Bethesda Church, which was built during Dutch colonial era, and a Catholic church were all destroyed.

Most of the buildings destroyed in the fire were new.

Each building was said to cost the local government between Rp 10 billion and Rp 20 billion. As of 9 p.m. local time the raging blaze also gutted Poka ferry port, fish market and sea research office.

Tuesday's incident was likely the worst since the imposition of a state of civil emergency last week. It was a continuation of similar armed mob attacks on the area which began on Saturday and has claimed at least five lives, or an overall of 76 since the violence resurfaced in Ambon in May.

A polytechnic school belonging to Pattimura University was burned down in a previous riot.

Governor Saleh Latuconsina could not hide his disappointment over the incident. Instead of commenting, he told journalists to ask new Pattimura Military chief Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa about the latest handling of riots.

"I am very concerned and deeply regret the incident. I'm lost for words. Please check with the Pattimura Military chief about this," Latuconsina said after an abrupt briefing at his office at noon on Monday.

Rumors have been circulating here that Latuconsina will be replaced by Maj. Gen. (ret) Dunidja, former acting governor of West Sumatra and Trikora Military commander.

President Abdurrahman Wahid hinted earlier this year that Latuconsina and Maluku Military Commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela could be replaced. The latter relinquished his post last week and has been given a new post in Jakarta.

I Made Yasa, who has just been promoted, acknowledged that the rioters outnumbered the security forces and they were also armed with standard military weapons.

"I'm going to directly lead the troops to the disputed areas. Please do not ask questions now.. Security forces are being deployed especially to defend the diesel-powered electricity station near Poka area. We're doing the best we can here," Yasa said. (49/48/edt/sur)