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Laksamana.Net - Explosions
ripped through a crowded market in Ambon, the capital of
strife-torn Maluku province, on Saturday (27/7/02), injuring
at least 53 people, reports said.
State news agency Antara said one of the explosive devices,
which had been placed in an unattended ice cart at the
Mardika market, blew up at about 10.30am.
The two almost simultaneous explosions in the predominantly
Christian neighborhood damaged a number of shops, kiosks, a
motorcycle and a public transport minivan.
The Associated Press quoted local police officer Sergeant
Ketut Purwato as saying 53 people were injured.
Many of the injured were students from a nearby college who
had been doing some Saturday morning shopping. They were
rushed to local hospitals.
Reuters quoted a local journalist as saying the wounded
included a one-year-old baby and a four-year-old girl.
"The baby was still crying and bleeding but I guess she
is better now. But some others were so badly injured that
the doctors said their legs must be amputated," he was
quoted as saying.
Maluku has been the scene of religious violence between
Christians and Muslims since January 1999. An estimated
9,000 people have been killed in the conflict.
A peace accord was signed between the warring parties in
February 2002, but sporadic violence and killings have
continued.
Much of the unrest has been blamed on the Islamic radical
group Laskar Jihad, which has sent thousands of fighters to
the province and has been accused of refusing to abide by
the terms of the peace accord.
No one claimed responsibility for Saturdays blasts and
there were no reports of any arrests.
Ambon Police chief Noviantoro said six witnesses were being
questioned, while the owner of the ice cart had been
detained to assist police with their inquiries.
Munitions Cache Discovered
Antara reported that police in the West Java city of
Indramayu have discovered 29 homemade bombs and 6
locally-assembled firearms in a vacant building behind an
elementary school.
Indramayu Police chief Eko Hadi said Saturday (27/7/02) the
bombs and guns were found on Thursday after locals noticed
partially assembled firearm inside the building.
"The peoples report led police to make a thorough
investigation. When we searched the building, we found the
cache of so many bombs and firearms," he was quoted as
saying by Antara.
He said the bombs were taken to a safe place, although some
had to be defused lest they endanger police.
Cirebon Police chief Sardiono told Antara that authorities
were still trying to locate the owner of the munitions.
Indramayu is best known for producing prostitutes. |
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