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Tension rises as separatist flags fly in Indonesia's Maluku province
A protest by hundreds of Muslims in the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon, over the flying of separatist flags by supporters of independence for Maluku province, is becoming increasingly tense.
At least three blasts and gunshots have been heard in the vicinity of the demonstration, and a local hospital worker says at least two people have been injured.
More than 15,000 Muslims took to the streets, angry that a group of independence supporters were flying flags to mark the 52nd anniversary of the outlawed separatist group, the South Maluku Republic.
Shots have been fired by security personnel to shoot down the balloons carrying the flags and to disperse the Muslim protestors.
Hundreds of troops have been deployed and security forces are preventing protesters from marching on Christian areas.
Officials are concerend that support from the RMS may affect a fragile state-brokered peace agreement between Muslims and Christians that was reached in February.
26/04/2002 03:28:47 | ABC Radio Australia News
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