The Australian, September 08, 2002
Three killed in Ambon
September 08, 2002
MOBS today set a van on fire in Ambon city after reports that gunmen had shot dead
three people in nearby Haruku island.
Gunmen on a speedboat sprayed shots at the coastal village of Kulur on the island
just east of Ambon early today, killing a woman and two children, the Detikcom online
news service said.
Reports of the shooting led mobs to block several streets in Ambon city and
Detikcom said that a mob set a van on fire in the city's predominantly Muslim sector
of Galunggung.
The local police could not be immediately reached for comment.
Ambon is still recovering from a bloody bombing on September 5 which left four
people dead and seven injured.
The Maluku islands, of which Ambon is the main city, has been the scene of fighting
between Muslims and Christians which has left more than 5,000 dead since 1999 and
the latest violence could further undermine a fragile pact signed in February.
Ambon has seen intermittent violence since the peace pact was signed. At least 54
people were injured when home-made bombs exploded at an Ambon market on July
27.
A state of civil emergency is in effect as part of efforts to halt the violence, which has
largely subsided elsewhere in the Malukus.
© The Australian
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