Violence returns to Ambon despite emergency status
AMBON, Maluku (JP): At least one person died and four others were injured as open clashes erupted here over the weekend, shattering days of calm since the civil emergency status took effect on June 27.
The incident broke out Saturday at around 1 p.m. local time at the Poka and Rumahtiga subdistricts, 21 kilometers north of Ambon, and continued until late on Sunday.
David Yosef, 20, died after being shot in the head during the morning attack at the disputed Poka area, said Rev. Ferry Nahusona of the Sejahtera Poka Church crisis center on Sunday.
His death brought the death toll to 70 since violence returned here over the past month. Hundreds have been injured during the period.
People wounded in the weekend fracas were rushed to Halong Naval Base. They mostly suffered from gunshot and bomb shrapnel wounds.
Dozens of houses and government buildings, including the poly technique building of Pattimura University, the university's housing complex and a high school were burned during the clash.
Security authorities could not be reached for confirmation, but the fray was reportedly triggered by a bomb explosion in predominantly Christian Poka area.
"Masses from both warring camps came face to face before people from the neighboring predominantly Muslim Jasirah Leihutu subdistrict attacked Poka and Rumahtiga area," Ferry said.
"We immediately called for help from the Pattimura Military chief (Col. I Made Yasa) because no troops were available here."
Security forces from the 509th Battalion of the Army's Strategic Reserved Command (Kostrad) and the local military command were immediately deployed to quell the fray.
Earlier on Saturday, civil emergency chief Governor Saleh Latuconsina urged the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) not to send its Ansor Youth Movement's task force Banser to Ambon as it could worsen the situation.
"I actually do not object to the plan, especially because they have good intentions. But many things could happen upon their arrival in Ambon. So I would call on the NU leaders to carefully consider such a plan," Latuconsina said.
Aceh
Renewed violence also broke out in Aceh on Sunday, leaving three officers of the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) dead and five others severely injured. The police fell victim to a grenade attack in the Nisam district, 30 kilometers southeast of Lhokesumawe, the main town in North Aceh, which took place around 4:15 p.m. local time.
First Sgt. Heriyanto, First Sgt. Hermawan and Second Sgt. Rinaldi died instantly when an armed gang ambushed their pick-up, Senior Superintendent Ridwan Karim of the joint committee on security modalities said in Banda Aceh later in the day.
All victims were taken to Lilawangsa Military Hospital in Lhokseumawe.
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) representative to the committee Tengku Nasiruddin bin Ahmad refused to comment. He said he was still checking the incident, which was the most serious clash since the humanitarian pause was enacted on June 2, with GAM members on the ground. (49/50/edt)