National

Snipers Claim More Victims in Ambon
Monday, 03 May, 2004 | 13:37 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Ambon, Maluku:Snipers have claimed more victims in Ambon as one person was shot dead and seven others were injured in several parts of Ambon on Saturday (1/5).


An Ambonese, Risakotta, was killed in Latuhalat village, Nusaniwe sub district on Saturday morning while seven others were injured from snipers’ shots and bomb blasts in Waringin Batugantung village, Nusaniwe sub district, on Saturday afternoon.


Up to Saturday, the conflict in Ambon has claimed 34 lives and left 238 people injured.


They mostly died and were injured by snipers’ shots, bomb blasts and fire wounds.


To date, 110 people have left the hospitals while 95 others are still being treated in seven hospitals in Ambon.


A total of 3,000 members of Maluku Police were deployed to search the house of Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM)/South Maluku Republic (RMS) chairman, Alex Manuputty, in Palang Merah, Benteng, Nusaniwe sub district, Ambon.


During the search, that was led by Maluku Police detectives and crime director, High Comm. Usman Nasution, the police found the wife, two children and a supporter of Alex Manuputty.


The police also seized several pieces of evidence, including Manuputty’s picture with “Freedom for the Moluccas People” and “Maluku Sovereignty Front” written on it.


Two RMS flags, one computer, a 2003 calendar containing the pictures of Manuputty and another FKM leader, Semy Wailaruni, leaflets of RMS’ figure Sumokil and a document containing the names and pictures of 295 FKM/RMS’ members were also seized in this search. (Mochtar Toewe/Yusnita/Jonatan Madiw-Tempo News Room)