Homemade firearms seized in Poso

POSO, Central Sulawesi: Ahead of the elections for Poso regent, Indonesian military personnel in have Poso discovered at least 40 handmade firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition of various sizes, and a handmade bomb on Sunday. They also took possession of firearms voluntarily handed in by residents.

"We're grateful that there are residents who voluntarily surrender their weapons," said Poso military district commander Lt. Col. Harahap.

He said his personnel were now regularly conducting raids ahead of the election campaign period for Poso regency, which is scheduled on June 13.

Poso police chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. M. Sholeh Hidayat said on Sunday that apart from raids, both the police and the military personnel were also tightening up security in the city. Every road into and out of Poso is tightly guarded, and all vehicles are checked. -- JP