The Jakarta Post, November 13, 2001
Rioters open fire in waters off Ambon, killing three, injuring five
JAKARTA (JP): Gunmen opened fire at a passing speedboat in the waters off Teluk
Ambon in the strife-torn province of Maluku early on Tuesday, killing three people and
injuring five out of 10 passengers on board, reports said.
The three fatalities, identified as Niko Pelmelay, Yakob Latupapua and Benny
Tuhusula, died en route to hospital due to severe gunshot wounds, a paramedic at Dr.
Haulussy General Hospital Johanis D. Mayaut said, as quoted by Antara.
Five people who were injured in the incident, which broke out at about 6:30 a.m. on
Tuesday, were also being treated at Dr. Haulussy General Hospital.
Witnesses said that gunmen on a speedboat coming from the village of Rumah Tiga
passed a Marine floating post at Teluk Ambon before opening fire on another
speedboat crowded with passengers on Tuesday morning.
A survivor of the incident, David Latumeten, told the news agency that the shooting
took place only about 30 meters away from the Marine floating post.
"And the officers did nothing to stop the attackers. They just let it happen," David
said, adding that the people of Maluku were tired of fighting and that the authorities
should take sternaction against rioters, regardless of their background.
Maluku has been relatively calm these past few months but sporadic violence were
still occurring in certain parts of the islands.
At least 9,000 people have been killed in both Maluku and North Maluku after
sectarian conflict first broke out in the capital of Maluku, Ambon, on Jan. 19, 1999.
The conflict, which was triggered by a petty dispute in downtown Ambon between
locals and migrants, quickly degenerated into a full-scale riot between Muslims and
Christians. (49)
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