The Jakarta Post, April 25, 2006
Security tighter in Ambon
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
Maluku Police tightened security in conflict-prone areas in Ambon city Monday, one
day ahead of the 56th anniversary of the self-proclaimed South Maluku Republic
(RMS) on Tuesday.
Over 1,600 security personnel have been deployed to secure the city and at least 40
security posts have been set up across the city to prevent the separatist members
from observing the anniversary or hoisting their flag.
Armed police officers have been deployed since Monday morning on roadsides in
conflict-prone areas like Kudamati, Talake, Waringin and Trikora.
Tight security, however, failed to discourage residents from going about their daily
activities in the city's markets, offices and schools.
Chief of Ambon and Lease Islands Police, Adj. Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan told The
Jakarta Post on Monday that the fact that people were not avoiding public places was
a sign of trust in the security personnel.
The security personnel are on alert to prevent unwanted incidents, like the bloody
clash which took place during the separatists' anniversary in 2004 that killed 38
people.
He said he met with community and religious leaders in Ambon early this month to
warn them against provoking violence Tuesday and the police had conducted a
sweeping operation in the houses of people suspected of being supporters of the
separatist movement.
So far, no explosives or firearms have been found and no arrests were made.
"The sweeping is intended to prevent the separatists' supporters from hoisting their
flag on April 25. These actions might trigger fresh conflict," he said, adding that the
move might lead to a clash between groups who are against the separatists.
He said the sweeping did not only target residents who were suspected of keeping
RMSs flags.
"There are some residents targeted in the operation because of their suspected
involvement in the separatist movement," said Leonidas.
Maluku military command spokesman Paiman told AFP that soldiers had not been
deployed to back up police but were on standby. He declined to give any numbers.
In 2004, a pro-independence parade in Ambon -- which was shattered by
Muslim-Christian clashes that erupted in January 1999 and left more than 5,000
people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless until a 2002 peace brought an end
to three years of strife -- led to clashes and a week of violence that left 38 people dead
and more than 100 injured.
The separatist movement was crushed shortly after its declaration in 1950 but the
rebels regrouped following the fall of former president Soeharto in 1998.
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
