Military claims it will get tough in Poso<\/p>\n
Erick W., The Jakarta Post, Palu<\/p>\n
Security authorities in Sulawesi have announced they will counter
\nefforts by armed groups to undermine the Malino peace agreement
\nin the Central Sulawesi regency of Poso.<\/p>\n
Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaeni, the new chief of the Udayana
\nMilitary Command overseeing security in Sulawesi, said the local
\nmilitary and police would change their strategy in handling
\nattacks by organized groups.<\/p>\n
\"Agents behind the recent series of bombings are underground
\nelements using guerrilla techniques in attacks on passenger buses
\nand other public facilities to disrupt everyday life, which has
\ngradually been returning to normal following the signing of the
\nMalino peace deal last December,\" he said in a discussion with
\nCentral Sulawesi officials and informal leaders in Palu on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Over the last seven months, there have been five bombings in
\nPoso that claimed 12 civilian lives and injured many. Hundreds of
\nkiosks were badly damaged when a market in Poso town was bombed.
\nTwo locals were killed sadistically on their cacao farm in March.
\nIt is believed the attacks were by groups from outside the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
An extreme group from Java was found to be conducting
\nmilitary-style training in a remote area of Poso when the regency
\nwas rocked by a sectarian conflict between Muslim and Christian
\nlocals.<\/p>\n
Amirul, who was sworn in as chief of the military command
\nearlier this month, said that as of July 27, the local military
\nand the police would use a joint security post in Poso to
\nstrengthen coordination.<\/p>\n
During the discussion, Luther Mangganti, a retired police
\nofficer, slammed Poso Regent Muin Pusadan for his failure to take
\nstrict measures against groups believed to be behind the recent
\nseries of bombings and of mysterious killings of supporters of
\nthe formerly conflicting parties.<\/p>\n
He said many locals were under the impression that the regent
\nhad turned a blind eye to certain outsiders committing crimes in
\nthe regency.<\/p>\n
\"Both local Muslims and Christians have declared peace but
\nbombs continue exploding, snipers still operate in some places
\nand outsiders commit crimes,\" he insisted.<\/p>\n
Amirul called on locals to cooperate with security personnel
\nin bringing permanent peace and order to Poso. He said people
\nshould feel free to inform local security authorities about the
\narmed groups' hiding places and activities.<\/p>\n
\"Security authorities have been ordered to be firm with those
\nwho violate the law and the peace agreement so that security and
\norder can be restored and so that locals feel safe going about
\ntheir daily activities,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Central Sulawesi Governor Aminuddin Panulele said he would
\nsubmit a request to the central government for more security
\npersonnel to be deployed to intensify the security restoration
\noperation in Poso.<\/p>\n
According to him, 2,000 security personnel is not enough to
\ncarry out the operation.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/military-claims-it-will-get-tough-in-poso-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}