ABC AUSTRALIA, 09/08/2002 19:28:43
Sectarian violence again flares in North Maluku
A return to communal violence between Christian and Muslim villagers on the North
Maluku island of Halmahera has left one man dead and 35 houses burned down.
Although the reason for the violence remains unclear, men from the neighboring
villages of Gorua and Wari clashed on Wednesday.
Police inspector Matheus Beai said Wari villagers fought back and launched a
retaliatory attack on Gorua.
Both villages were damaged.
The violence marred a fragile peace that has been in place since 2001.
The area saw some of the worst clashes between Muslims and Christians after
sectarian violence erupted in neighboring Maluku province early in 1999.
The violence began in Ambon, the capital of Maluku province, and quickly spread to
the other islands in Maluku and neighboring North Maluku.
More than 5,000 people have been killed in the unrest which also created more than
500,000 refugees and caused widespread destruction.
A state of civil emergency is in effect in both provinces as part of efforts to halt the
violence.
09/08/2002 19:28:43 | ABC Radio Australia News
© 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
