Xinhua News Agency, April 28, 2002 22:03:05
Xinhuanet
Number of Casualties in Incident in Indonesia's Ambon May Rise
JAKARTA, April 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The number of casualties in the sudden attack at
dawn on Sunday in Soya village in Ambon, Indonesia, is expected to increase from
the present 12, according to the Antara News Agency.
The news agency said that the 12 victims were found in their burnt-out house. The
number of casualties might increase as the attack was carried out at 04:00 a.m. local
time, while the people were still asleep.
One house of worship and tens of houses were totally damaged after the attack which
was done by a group of people clad in black uniform and armed with swords.
Maluku police have deployed men to hunt down the group which also carried bombs.
Some witnesses who managed to escape from the attack said the attackers were
trained and skilled people, and they seemed to be familiar with the scene.
Local police have nabbed two men following the incident.
In Jakarta, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar deplored the incident in Ambon
and said that additional forces might be sent to Ambon if the administrator of the state
of civil emergency asked for them.
He said he would take stiff measures against those proven to be involved in the
attack.
Ambon has seen renewed tension and violence following the 52nd anniversary of the
separatist South Maluku Republic (RMS) movement on Thursday.
Despite warning from authorities that hoisting the RMS flag was outlawed, supporters
tied the flag to several balloons released over the city on Thursday and Saturday. On
Sunday, at least three flags of RMS were displayed again over Ambon.
Christians make up about half of the population on the Maluku islands in otherwise
Muslim-dominated Indonesia. Enditem
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