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"All security personnel will be withdrawn when the area is really safe," Central Sulawesi Police spokeswoman Maj.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