Conflict under control: Poso Military

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): After a four-day sectarian clash, the Central Sulawesi town of Poso had yet to return to normal, a military source said on Wednesday.

Poso Military District chief Lt. Col. Budiardjo told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview from Makassar on Wednesday that smoke was still seen billowing in several spots in the conflicting villages of Lambogia and Kamayanga.

He also acknowledged that the two villages were still crippled as residents were refraining themselves from going out to do their daily activities.

"But in general the situation is under control," he said, confirming that three more dead bodies were found on Tuesday and Wednesday from the site, bringing the death toll to six.

Two of the dead bodies were identified as Ulan, 20, and Yunus, 18, while another body was confirmed as a resident of Bonesompe, Kayamanga.

Reports said a fight between teenagers at a bus terminal on Sunday escalated into fatal clashes.

The latest reports said 31 people were injured and as many as 200 houses were damaged in the fray. On Monday a church, two Christian high schools, one elementary school and a police dormitory were reportedly burned.

Budiardjo said that Police Mobile Brigade and Army troops managed to separate the residents of the two clashing villages. "I have just returned from the area. We have the situation under control."

Some 2,000 villagers, who sought refuge on Sunday, have not returned home yet, fearing that fresh clashes might happen.

The flow of refugees to military buildings continued, a sergeant at the military district office said.

Sgt. Pa Sepe said that there were four refugee posts: the Dandim post was sheltering 180 refugees, Kompi 711 post 1,000, Tagolu post 200 and Tempera was helping 200.

"The refugees need serious treatment and help. Some of them are suffering from traumatic stress," Budiardjo said. (27/sur)