Sunday, April 25, 2004
Muslims, Christians clash in Indonesia; 2 killed
Associated Press Ambon, April 25
Muslim and Christian gangs hurled rocks at each other, and several buildings were torched in fresh violence on Sunday in Indonesia's religiously divided Maluku islands. At least two people were killed, witnesses and officials said.
The clashes occurred as the region's small, mostly Christian separatist movement celebrated the anniversary of a failed independence bid 54 years ago. Violence between the two sides has often broken out in previous years on the same day. More than 9,000 people were killed in the Malukus between 1991 and 2001 in fighting between Muslims and Christians. The two faiths signed a peace pact in 2002, but sporadic violence between them continues. Sunday's fighting was triggered when around 12 activists from the separatist Maluku Sovereignty Front marched through the provincial capital, Ambon, witnesses said.
Gangs of Muslim and Christian youths hurled rocks at each other in the center of the city, witnesses said. Three buildings were set alight, and the sound of gunfire and at least one explosion rocked the city.
Two bodies were taken to the city's Al-Fatah hospital. They had gunshot wounds, but it was unclear who shot them. Twenty-three people were injured. Military spokesman Maj. Paimam confirmed that unrest had broken out, and that several people had been injured. He gave no more details.
Efforts by Christian separatists to campaign for independence are regarded as a provocation by Muslims in the province, and police had vowed to stop them marking the day.
Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, but South Maluku's two million people are evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. The region is 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) east of Jakarta.
© Hindustan Times Ltd. 2004.