Mob attacks police station in Poso
La Remi, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi
Reinforced security forces were on alert in North Lore subdistrict, part of the conflict-torn regency of Poso, on Monday after a rampaging mob attacked a local police station after police refused to hand over a suspect in the killing of a local resident.
No casualties and injuries were reported after Sunday night's attack, but part of the North Lore Police Headquarters in Wuasa were seriously damaged after the rioters stoned it.
Dozens of residents from Wuasa, the main town in North Lore, marched on the headquarters to demand that Haeruddin, 33, a suspect in the killing of 18-year-old Albert, be given to them so they could dispense mob justice.
The police's refusal to hand over Haeruddin, a man of Bugis origin who works as a civil servant at the Palu transportation office, triggered the crowd to begin stoning the station.
The mob then turned their attention on members of the Bugis ethnicity, forcing many to flee in fear.
Haeruddin became involved in a quarrel with Albert, a local Christian youth, after a drinking session on Sunday evening.
Albert died from stab wounds to the stomach after the clash.
Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sugianto said crowds continued to gather in certain places on Monday.
However, he said the situation was under control after the immediate deployment of about 100 members of the police's elite Mobile Brigade (Brimob).
He said Haeruddin was taken to the Poso Regency Police Headquarters on Monday in anticipation of a possible attack in Wuasa.
Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Taufiq Ridha flew to the scene by helicopter on Monday to monitor the security situation in the hilly town, while Brimob officers stood guard.
"The family of the victim has apologized to the local police chief and has promised to settle the riot in a communal way," Taufik said.
The communal way means that local residents will repair the damaged police office, he added.
Poso has been plagued by three years of religious fighting between Muslims and Christians. About 2,000 people have been killed since 2000. Hundreds of thousands of others have been forced to flee their homes.
North Lore, home to a diverse ethnic mix, is a subdistrict in Poso regency but has escaped the worst of the war.
A peace deal signed in December 2001 between leaders of the warring factions has managed to significantly reduce the bloodshed in Poso, but sporadic violence still erupts.
Meanwhile, up to 400 Brimob officers arrived in the Central Sulawesi capital of Palu on Monday and were immediately dispatched to Poso for a six-month tour of duty as part of the routine rotation program.
At least 240 of the officers were from National Police Headquarters in Jakarta. The rest were from East Kalimantan province.
"They will replace police officers who have completed their six-month tour in Poso," Taufik said after arriving back from North Lore.
"So there are no reinforcements of police officers in Poso," he said.