MASOHI TENSE, TWO INJURED

Ambon, Dec. 9 (ANTARA) - Masohi, the capital of Central Maluku District, was tense on Tuesday morning, following an incident triggered by a school teacher's derogatory remark about a certain religion.

An elementary school teacher identified as WH was reported to have made degrading comments on a certain religion and, apparently in reaction to WH's words, a stone-throwing incident occurred in Nasohi's Pasar street.

Adjunct Senior Commissioner J Huwae, a spokesman of the Maluku Police, confirmed the incident to ANTARA on Tuesday and also said the local police had the situation under control.

The injured victims were Yakobis Lesilolo (21), who was being treated at a local police polyclinic, and Enny Malalis (48), who was still unconscious at the Amahai community health center (puskesmas).

The police had detained WH for further investigation.

"We hope that people will not be provoked and let the incident be handled by the Central Maluku police according to the existing law, so that the security stability will not be disturbed," he said.

He said Senior Commissioner Benno Kilapong, the Maluku Deputy Police Chief, has ordered the dispatch of more police personnel to Masohi.

Meanwhile, Central Maluku Regional Secretary N Sukur on a separate occasion said that Central Maluku District Head Abdullah Tuasikal had asked the police to find witnesses who could testify on the incident.

If the teacher was found guilty, he would be given an administrative sanction, he said.