Bomb explosion shatters fragile peace in Poso
Bomb explosion shatters fragile peace in Poso
Erik W., The Jakarta Post, Palu
A huge bomb explosion rocked the once strife-torn town of Poso in
Central Sulawesi for the first time since both Muslim and
Christian leaders signed a peace accord last December to end
three years of sectarian fighting.
The blast, heard from more than two kilometers from the scene,
apparently poses a new challenge to the peace largely being
restored in Poso after the peace agreement.
Police in the provincial capital of Palu said on Monday they
were searching for those who bombed the Poso social welfare
office at around 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak
said on Monday that the authorities have named an unidentified
man as a witness.
He claimed that the blast would not hamper efforts to promote
peace in the town.
The bomb exploded at the office used for refugee assistance
distribution, located on Jl. Pulau Kalimantan and close to the
local police substation.
No casualties were reported but the explosion shattered the
building's windows, doors and other property, and destroyed
documents.
The incident sparked tension among residents in the town, who
immediately stood guard to patrol their respective areas from
possible counterattacks by rivals.
Rusli, a local resident whose house is located two kilometers
from the scene, said that he heard the loud blast from his home,
adding that it was raining at the time.
The bombing was believed to be prompted by the alleged unfair
distribution of food assistance for refugees who fled the
sectarian conflict in Poso.
Earlier late Saturday afternoon, head of the Poso social
welfare office Anwar Muhammad Ali was interviewed by local Bulava
radio station, in which he said the Rp 6 billion assistance had
been distributed to refugees in five stages in Palu, and three
stages in Poso.
He admitted that the assistance distribution in Poso could not
be conducted as smoothly as that in Palu. He did not elaborate.
Anwar suspected those that people who had lost patience
waiting for assistance were behind the bombing of his office.
First Brig. Pakiding, a policeman in Poso, said his office was
investigating the explosion and hunting for the bombers.
Representatives of both Christian and Muslim groups who had
been locked in fighting for three years signed a peace pact on
Dec. 21, 2001 during talks in the Malino hill resort, South
Sulawesi, to end the hostilities.
The two sides pledged to cease all conflicts and disputes
which killed thousands of people; abide by the due process of
law; request that the state take firm and impartial measures
against any violators; reject the state of civil emergency and
interference from foreigners and outsiders; and reinstate
property to their rightful owners. Disarmament was also part of
the post-conflict agreement.
According to the local security authorities, a total of 39,410
sharp weapons, including firearms, home-made bombs, hand guns,
machetes and arrows, had been voluntarily surrendered to them
between January and February.
At least 33,595 of the surrendered weapons have already been
destroyed at the Poso police office.
The authorities have also confiscated less than 100 other
weapons during three-month raids, which started on March 1.