The Jakarta Post, May 18, 2004
Anti-independence activists angered
AMBON, Maluku: Dozens of youths staged a rally here on Monday to demand that
separatists be firmly dealt with to prevent more violence following the April 25 incident
that sparked a week-long killing spree in which nearly 40 people were hacked to death
or killed by snipers.
The protest preceded by several hours the flying of two independence flags of the
predominantly Christian Republic of South Maluku (RMS) over a Muslim neighborhood
and later an explosion in the early evening. No group claimed responsibility for the
flag-raising or the bomb.
The rally was the first to take place after the renewed violence and it briefly crippled
activities in the Ambon mayor's office.
However, the demonstration ended peacefully around midday amid tight security by
police officers. --JP
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