Tensions boiled over again in Central Maluku on Wednesday, where the latest in a series of bloody clashes between neighboring villages ended with one dead and four injured.

The spate of attacks between residents of Porto and Haria, in Saparua, Central Maluku, began in August and have since claimed several lives and seriously injured others.

Mob violence, allegedly over a water source called "the king's water," erupted again on Wednesday after someone reportedly opened fire on a public minivan in Saparua and injured a female passenger, Maluku Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Johanes Huwae said on Thursday in Ambon.

Rival mobs from both villages then attacked each other with sharp weapons, guns and explosives, Johanes said. The injured were admitted to Saparua Hospital for treatment.

The situation in Saparua was still tense as Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu, Maluku Military commander Maj. Gen, Suharsono and Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen Syarief Gunawan arrived on the scene, Johanes said. A similar clash claimed the life of another villager last month. (Antara/JG)