Police find explosives, sharp weapons after Maluku resident clash

The Maluku Police say they have found handmade bombs, Molotov cocktails and 10-centimenter metal arrows near the site where residents of Lorong Kolonel Pieters and Airmata residents clashed on Monday night.

“After the clash, our officers swept the area and found explosive materials, in addition to 20 waer [traditional] arrows and a slingshot,” Maluku Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. J. Huwae said in Ambon as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday.

The police also took into evidence two Molotov cocktails crafted from tennis balls, filled with gasoline and diesel fuel that could be ignited by lighting a wick.

The seizure was evidence that many residents were producing and stockpiling weapons for community conflicts, Huwae said.

“Residents handed in 11 handmade weapons to authorities following a Sept. 11, 2011, clash, yet there are still many people who have made edged weapons, handmade bombs or Molotov cocktails.”

The clash was reportedly triggered by a trade of insults which led to firecrackers being tossed by both sides.