New Straits Times [Malaysia], Thursday, May 20 2004, 3:41:33 PM
World
AMBON: Tension returns to strife-torn Ambon
AMBON, May 19: Tension returned to the strife-torn eastern Indonesian city of Ambon
today after police prevented Muslim protesters from marching toward the governor's
office to demand action following the recent escape of four detained independence
activists.
Some 300 protesters took to the streets of Ambon in the late morning but a cordon of
armed policemen prevented them from approaching the governor's office.
The protesters, who urged police to act to recapture the four supporters of the
outlawed separatist South Maluku Republic (RMS) on May 9, blocked the main
avenue leading to the governor's office. They threw tyres and stones and blocked
traffic.
News of the protest sparked panic at the state-run Pattimura university, where
Christian and Muslim students had resumed studies following fresh sectarian clashes
that left 38 dead last month.
Students were suddenly divided into Christian and Muslim camps and threw stones at
each other before they dispersed, a witness said. Police in Ambon said there were no
reported casualties.
Four RMS supporters escaped from their cell at the Maluku police headquarters on
May 9. Police have said they were investigating the escape.
RMS supporters are predominantly Christians.
The four were arrested during the week of violence that left 38 people dead and more
than 100 injured in Ambon. The clashes were sparked by a RMS convoy there on
April 25.
The fresh violence erupted after a small group of independence supporters protested
at the police headquarters in Ambon to demand the release of their leaders arrested
earlier in the day during a ceremony marking the 54th anniversary of the founding of
RMS. - AFP
Copyright © 2004 NST Online. All rights reserved.
|
