3,000 residents seek refuge after deadly unrest in C. Maluku
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 02/12/2012 9:05 PM
More than 3,000 residents of Pelauw village, Haruku Island, Central Maluku, took refuge following a conflict on Friday and Saturday that claimed at least six lives and destroyed dozens of houses in the village.
Central Maluku Regent Abdullah Tuasikal said fleeing residents went to neighboring villages Kailolo, Rohimoni and Ori.
Abdullah added that some residents even fled to Ambon Island.
"Most of them took refuge since their homes were destroyed during the unrest. Others left the village for fear of another clash,” Abdullah was quoted as saying on Sunday by kompas.com.
The administration estimated that 400 homes were damaged and set ablaze during the unrest.
Abdullah said the administration would send food and medicine to the refugees.
The clash was reportedly fuelled by a dispute in deciding the date to inaugurate the Salampessy clan’s traditional longhouse.
The Salampessy clan, the largest clan in Pelauw village, is divided into two sub-clans: Salampessy Muka and Salampessy Belakang. Each sub-clan insisted on having the traditional ceremony to inaugurate the longhouse on different days that they believe to be auspicious.
