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Ten die in clashes in Maluku

Source
Agence France Presse - October 8, 1999 (abridged)

Jakarta – At least ten people have been killed and scores injured in renewed clashes between Muslims and Christians in an island in the riot-torn Indonesian province of Maluku, reports said Friday.

The battle on Thursday broke out after groups of people from the Saparua island launched an attack on residents in the neighbouring island of Haruku, the Media Indonesia newspaper said.

Meanwhile, four bodies with gunshot wounds were found on Thursday in the Air Besar area of the strife-torn Ambon city, the capital of Maluku, a local journalist said.

A man was also killed on the same day in clashes in the Ahuru area of the city, the journalist said. "There are indications that the killings were conducted by snipers and they use standard military weapons," he said.

"The Maluku governor [Saleh Latuconsina] has urged the military to uncover the mysterious shooters," he added.

Earlier this week, two army soldiers were killed by unidentified gunmen when they were trying to quell clashes between Muslim and Christian residents in the city.

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