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Tension
rises as separatist flag fly in Indonesia's Maluku |
ABC
26/04/2002
03:28:47 |
A protest by hundreds of Muslims in
the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon, over the flying of
separatist flags by supporters of independence for Maluku
province, is becoming increasingly tense.
At least three blasts and gunshots have been heard in the vicinity
of the demonstration, and a local hospital worker says at least
two people have been injured.
More than 15,000 Muslims took to the streets, angry that a group
of independence supporters were flying flags to mark the 52nd
anniversary of the outlawed separatist group, the South Maluku
Republic.
Shots have been fired by security personnel to shoot down the
balloons carrying the flags and to disperse the Muslim protestors.
Hundreds of troops have been deployed and security forces are
preventing protesters from marching on Christian areas.
Officials are concerend that support from the RMS may affect a
fragile state-brokered peace agreement between Muslims and
Christians that was reached in February.
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