Ambon Violent Clashes Between Christian and Muslims, Triggered by Provocative Text Message
at the date of
Selasa, 13 September 2011
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The violence was triggered after the accidental death of a motorcycle driver who crashed his motorcycle. However, during the funeral a rumour was spread that Darwin Saiman - who lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a house – issued was attacked by a group of Christians.
Many of the victims were injured by thrown rocks but the fatalities died from gunshot wounds, according to Dr. Ita Sabrina of Dr. M. Haulussy Public Hospital. The mob also vandalized a number of vehicles and buildings, including Silo Church, biggest church in Ambon located on Tugu Trikora, Central Ambon.
Riot police were called in to quell the reaction of the Islamic community who attack The officers fired shots, some stray bullets hit Djefry Siahaan (Christian teacher in Ambon) in the stomach and Cliford Belegur (school student) in his left side, causing death.
Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu said he had instructed the police to investigate the cause of the riot, which had spread across the city.
“The case must be resolved immediately to avoid the riot from spreading further,” he said.
Gen. Anton Bahrul Alam, national police spokesman, said that the autopsy confirmed the death of taxi driver in the crash. "The doctors found no sign of violence," said the officer, who adds that in the subsequent clashes, there were injuries and damage to public buildings. Anton, also declined to specify the names of the two factions who fought each other, avoiding mention of the religious faith of each. "These groups are known for some time [for their mutual hostility] ... - said the spokesman - We will not mention their names, but we assure you that [since 9 last night, ed] the situation is now come back under control."
On condition of anonymity, the Muslim mob set fire to several Christian houses, forcing the occupants to leave the buildings.
Meanwhile in Jakarta top politicians have gathered in a meeting to find solutions to the crisis given the extreme delicacy of the situation, they refuse to talk about "confessional" violence, instead referring to clashes between people belonging to "factions".
Djoko Suyanto, a senior official for Legal Affairs, confirms that politicians and security officials "will be holding a summit this evening" to restore harmony in the theater of violence.
Today, (13/09/2011) the inter religious figure on Mollucas gather and issue a 'Peace Message' to both community, who accused and followed by Christian and Moslem community.
In the past there have been harsh conflicts in the Moluccas of a confessional nature between Christians and Muslims that have caused deaths and injuries. The arrival in 1999 in the area of thousands of Muslim settlers, coming from other parts of Indonesia, triggered the conflict, which continued until 2002 and caused at least 9 thousand deaths in repeated incidents. The signing of a peace treaty between the two sides in February 2002 - the Malino Peace Treaty, signed in South Sulawesi - put an end to the conflict. (Tim PPGI)
