Military claims it will get tough in Poso

Erick W., The Jakarta Post, Palu

Security authorities in Sulawesi have announced they will counter efforts by armed groups to undermine the Malino peace agreement in the Central Sulawesi regency of Poso.

Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaeni, the new chief of the Udayana Military Command overseeing security in Sulawesi, said the local military and police would change their strategy in handling attacks by organized groups.

"Agents behind the recent series of bombings are underground elements using guerrilla techniques in attacks on passenger buses and other public facilities to disrupt everyday life, which has gradually been returning to normal following the signing of the Malino peace deal last December," he said in a discussion with Central Sulawesi officials and informal leaders in Palu on Thursday.

Over the last seven months, there have been five bombings in Poso that claimed 12 civilian lives and injured many. Hundreds of kiosks were badly damaged when a market in Poso town was bombed. Two locals were killed sadistically on their cacao farm in March. It is believed the attacks were by groups from outside the province.

An extreme group from Java was found to be conducting military-style training in a remote area of Poso when the regency was rocked by a sectarian conflict between Muslim and Christian locals.

Amirul, who was sworn in as chief of the military command earlier this month, said that as of July 27, the local military and the police would use a joint security post in Poso to strengthen coordination.

During the discussion, Luther Mangganti, a retired police officer, slammed Poso Regent Muin Pusadan for his failure to take strict measures against groups believed to be behind the recent series of bombings and of mysterious killings of supporters of the formerly conflicting parties.

He said many locals were under the impression that the regent had turned a blind eye to certain outsiders committing crimes in the regency.

"Both local Muslims and Christians have declared peace but bombs continue exploding, snipers still operate in some places and outsiders commit crimes," he insisted.

Amirul called on locals to cooperate with security personnel in bringing permanent peace and order to Poso. He said people should feel free to inform local security authorities about the armed groups' hiding places and activities.

"Security authorities have been ordered to be firm with those who violate the law and the peace agreement so that security and order can be restored and so that locals feel safe going about their daily activities," he said.

Central Sulawesi Governor Aminuddin Panulele said he would submit a request to the central government for more security personnel to be deployed to intensify the security restoration operation in Poso.

According to him, 2,000 security personnel is not enough to carry out the operation.