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60 arrested
to suppress RMS anniversary celebration
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The
Jakarta Post
April
25, 2003
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60 arrested to suppress RMS
anniversary celebration
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian troops and
police have arrested about 60 people to quell attempts to mark a
separatist anniversary on Friday in the eastern Maluku islands.
The detainees had either sewn or
flown flags of the outlawed Republic of South Maluku which were to
be hoisted on Friday, said Ambon island district military
commander, Lieutenant Colonel Yudi Zanibar.
"The group was arrested in
several parts of the island. Many of them quietly raised the flags
late last night on hilltops and trees," he told AFP by
telephone.
He said a home-made bomb exploded
in the Rinjani area of Ambon island butthere were no casualties or
damage.
Troops in the Maluku provincial
capital Ambon have been searching residents for weapons or flags.
A helicopter on Monday dropped leaflets over the city warning that
any attempt to celebrate the anniversary is banned.
An extra 400 police are being
deployed in Ambon and Haruku island to suppress any attempt to
mark the anniversary in 1950 of the proclamation of the republic,
Friday's Jakarta Post reported.
People loyal to Dutch colonial rule
declared the Republic of South Maluku in 1950 and staged a revolt
against newly independent Indonesia.
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