Unidentified gunmen strike again in C. Sulawesi<\/p>\n
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu<\/p>\n
Unidentified assailants launched two separate attacks in Central
\nSulawesi on Wednesday, killing at least three people despite
\nstepped-up security by authorities in the troubled province.<\/p>\n
Police said on Thursday unidentified gunmen killed a 25-year-
\nold Hindu woman originally from Bali, Ni Nengah Anggrenadi, and
\nwounded two Christians in Poso regency at about 11:45 p.m. on
\nWednesday night.<\/p>\n
Nengah died at Poso General Hospital, where the two people
\ninjured in the attack in Kawende village, Poso Pesisir district,
\nare being treated for gunshot wounds.<\/p>\n
Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Abdi Dharma Sitepu said a
\ngroup of about 10 men armed with rifles fired shots at the three
\nvictims before fleeing by motorboat.<\/p>\n
\"We have been unable to conclude where the perpetrators fled
\nto. They may have headed to Ampana, the capital city of Tojo
\nUnauna regency,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Abdi said several suspects accused of involvement in the
\nrecent murders of prosecutor Ferry Silalahi and clergywoman
\nSusianti Tinulele had been arrested in Ampana.<\/p>\n
Ferry, 46, who prosecuted several terrorism cases, was gunned
\ndown by unknown assailants in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on May 26
\nafter attending an evening church service. On July 18,
\nunidentified attackers shot dead the 29-year-old Susianti while
\nshe was delivering a sermon at the city's Effata Church.<\/p>\n
Police believe Wednesday's attack in Poso was committed by the
\nsame group of gunmen who killed Ferry and Susianti, as well as
\nprevious victims.<\/p>\n
Abdi said a team of police officers was searching for the
\nsuspects in Ampana. \"We hope local residents will not be tight-
\nlipped about the identity of the attackers.\"<\/p>\n
Also on Wednesday, the bodies of two Christian men were found
\nin Jono Oge village, Sigi Biromaru district, Donggala regency,
\nsome 12 kilometers from Palu and 262 kilometers from Poso. The
\nmen had severe stab wounds to the neck.<\/p>\n
The victims, identified as Sakeas Tesa, 54, and Yahya Yuta
\nJama, 45, were killed by two assailants riding a Yamaha FIZR
\nmotorcycle, Donggala Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sismantoro said.<\/p>\n
He said the two victims were murdered as they returned from a
\ncigarette kiosk.<\/p>\n
\"Based on statements from witnesses, Sakeas was the first
\ntarget and he died at the scene, followed by Yahya Yuta,\"
\nSismantoro said.<\/p>\n
A number of residents said they attempted to detain the
\nkillers, but they fled on motorcycle toward the town of Sigi
\nBiromoru.<\/p>\n
\"We saw the red and white motorcycle but don't remember its
\nlicense number,\" one witness, Alexius, said.<\/p>\n
The motive behind the killings remains unclear and police are
\ninvestigating the case.<\/p>\n
Residents of Jono Oge launched community patrols of the
\nvillage following the murders. Some 75 police officers were also
\ndeployed to the village.<\/p>\n
Fighting between Christians and Muslims in Central Sulawesi
\nflared up in 2000 and has so far left more than 1,000 people
\ndead. The government brokered a peace deal in December 2001 but
\nsporadic attacks have continued.<\/p>\n
Police and military have for months been searching for the
\nunidentified gunmen blamed for recent attacks on Christians in
\nthe area. However, the authorities have made few arrests.<\/p>\n
The police have blamed this failure on a lack of cooperation
\nfrom residents.<\/p>",
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