JAKARTA (JP): Ambon was quiet on the commemoration of the Day
of Ascension of Jesus Christ on Thursday, after a bloody clash
erupted on Saparua island in Central Maluku a day earlier.
People in Ambon went about their activities as usual and
traffic was normal, as Christians attended Mass and other
religious ceremonies at churches, according to Antara.
The city, however, was not as hectic as usual, possibly the
result of Wednesday's clash which reportedly left three people
dead and 12 wounded.
Ambon is closely linked with Saparua because a good many of the
city's residents hail from the island.
Though the situation was calm, the city's Muslim and Christian
populations were on the alert in their respective areas of the
city, with barricades being seen on a number of major streets,
including the street running in front of the governor's office.
Police officers were posted throughout the city.
Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko said on Thursday he had
deployed officers to Saparua island to help maintain security in
the area.
Soenarko reiterated that the clash between residents of the
villages of Porto and Haria on Saparua island was in no way
sparked by religious conflict.
He also said that four people wounded in the clash would be
transported to Ambon for medical care because there were no
doctors at the Saparua hospital.
Maluku has been wracked by several years of religious
conflicts, leaving thousands of people dead. (hhr)
