Xinhua News Agency, 2002-04-25 13:51:47
Separatists Celebrate Anniversary in Maluku, Indonesia
JAKARTA, April 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Indonesia's eastern province of Maluku was on
tense Thursday as separatist supporters celebrated the 52nd anniversary of South
Maluku Republic (RMS).
Some supporters hoisted RMS flags in several places, which thenwere seized by
local police, according to the Metro TV television station.
Maluku Police Chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko D.A. admitted that somepeople hoisted
RMS flags. "We seized flags once they were found," he said.
It was reported that separatists used balloons to fly RMS flags.Thousands of
supporters rallied toward RMS headquarters, also residence of leader Alex Manuputty
who has been arrested by the police, in Kudamati Subdistrict in Ambon.
Joint force of the police and the army struggled to block the mobs and warning shots
were frequently fired. No casualty was reported so far.
But a police officer reported that the provincial capital of Ambon was relatively calm
and free from violence.
"Although the city was completely in silence earlier this morning, it was then back to
normal. Students go to school, markets are open, and public transportation operates
as usual", Insp. Sakurela, an officer at information office of Maluku Police,was quoted
by the Detikcom online news service as saying.
Ambonese loyal to Dutch colonial rule declared the RMS in 1950 and staged a revolt
against the newly-independent Republic of Indonesia. The rebellion was finally
quashed, but RMS activists, mainly in the Netherlands, launched a campaign for
international recognition.
The Maluku islands have also been the scene of a three-year sectarian conflict that
has left some 6,000 dead and a trail of destruction. Enditem
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