Man arrested over illegal arms in Poso regency

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi

A farmer with illegal firearms and bullets in his possession was arrested on Tuesday by police who were tracking down gunmen blamed for renewed attacks in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi.

The police seized two guns and 10 bullets, five of which were 5.56 millimeters and five of .38 caliber.

The suspect, Yapray Mbaloto, 45, from Pawaru village, Lembo subdistrict, Morowali regency -- which used to be part of Poso -- was nabbed when the policed raided his house for arms following a tipoff from local residents.

Yapray told Morowali Police that he obtained the two pistols and ammunition from a Poso resident and used them only for self- defense against possible attacks on his village.

"I forgot who gave me the guns and bullets. But I'm certain he is from Poso," he said.

Morowali Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Henny Sulistya said the suspect will be charged with Article 1 of Emergency Law No. 12/1951 on illegal possession of munitions.

"Therefore, we are detaining the suspect for questioning," Henny said.

Morowali was attacked by unidentified gunmen who are believed to be the same gunmen who attacked Poso.

In October 2003, the gunmen attacked a predominantly Christian village in Lembo and left hundreds of homes razed and three people dead.

Police shot dead the alleged mastermind of the violence, Madong, at his hideout in a jungle near Pawaru village, Lembo.

Nine of Madong's accomplices were arrested, several of whom had sustained gunshot wounds in the leg. They are currently standing trial at the Palu District Court.

The arrest of Yapray came as police and military conducted a joint door-to-door search for arms and gunmen to prevent more attacks in Poso.

On Monday, the joint force began checking the identity cards of local residents. Those who failed to produce their ID would be taken into police custody for questioning before being sent back to their places of origin.

The recent shootings that killed a clergyman and injured a university lecturer had sparked a fear among locals that sectarian fighting between Muslims and Christians would return.

At least 2,000 people were killed in two years of sectarian clashes that erupted in late 1999.

Although fighting largely stopped after the warring parties signed a government-brokered peace pact, the Malino I, in December 2001, sporadic attacks continued despite hundreds of police reinforcements.

Police said they had arrested a man of Arab descent for his alleged role in the latest shootings, but provided no further details.