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.