Hundreds evacuated in Poso

Hundreds evacuated in Poso

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of people in Poso, Central Sulawesi,
whose homes have been severely damaged or destroyed in rioting
that has gone on since last Friday, have been evacuated to the
local sports center.

Antara reported from Poso on Thursday that most of the
evacuees at the sports center were from the subdistricts of Sayo,
Lombogia and Kasintuwu.

"The number of evacuees sent here is increasing because
several families who escaped to the surrounding forests are
beginning to arrive," Thamrin, an official with the local branch
of the Ministry of Social Affairs said.

Reports said riots that began on Christmas Day and lasted
until Dec. 29 were caused by a misunderstanding among local
youths. On Monday the riots peaked with some 8,000 people
involved in the clashes. At least 55 buildings were damaged and
the last count of those injured was 112, the agency said. Seven
motorbikes and four cars were burned by rioters.

Thamrin said various parties such as the Association of Muslim
Students (HMI) were sending assistance to the evacuees.

Some victims were taken in by relatives, he added.

As of Thursday the agency reported the town looked quiet while
security personnel remained on guard around several public
facilities. Stores began to reopen.

"All security personnel will be withdrawn when the area is
really safe," Central Sulawesi Police spokeswoman Maj. Ida
Kartati said.

Meanwhile from Bandar Lampung in South Sumatra the agency
reported that four members of the West Lampung Police were being
interrogated by the military police, following the deaths in
custody of two detainees which had triggered mass anger.

At least 1,500 people in Liwa regency set two police stations
and a house on fire last Monday.

The detainees were identified as Sanin and Soleh, part of a
group of five charged with stealing Rp 615 million from a coffee
businessman, Saburi. Nine police officers and several residents
were injured in the clash in the area.

Sanin was found Sunday in a cell with a belt tied round his
neck in an apparent suicide, Lampung police chief Col. Gendro
Budi Santoso said. But rumors circulated that Sanin had been
tortured by officers.

Gendro regretted that people had become so emotional without
giving the police a chance to clarify the cause of Sanin's death.
The agency did not give further details of the death of the other
detainee.

As of Thursday the site, some 200 kilometers northwest of
Bandar Lampung, was still tense as motorists feared violence
would erupt again.

Mobile Brigade Commander Maj. Irwanto said a platoon of his
members was still on guard at the site called Fajar Bulan. (anr)