More troops arrive in riot-torn Poso
More troops arrive in riot-torn Poso
PALU, Central Sulawesi (JP): A fresh batch of reinforcement
troops arrived in Poso on Wednesday to help quell the continuing
sectarian riots there.
Central Sulawesi Police chief Col. Soeroso said 280 personnel
from Jakarta's Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) who set their feet
in the restive area would add to 1,500 soldiers from Makassar,
South Sulawesi-based Wirabuana Military Command who came earlier.
"Another 1,500 are on their way," Soeroso said.
He said more reinforcements are needed to anticipate further
unrest as there has been circulating rumors of escalating
conflict in the coming few days.
"The troops' main duty is to launch a gun sweeping operation.
Up to present rioters are still making sporadic attacks," Soeroso
added.
Local residents expressed their high hopes for the security
forces arrival, by lifting roadblocks to the strife-torn city.
Later in the day, unconfirmed reports said that a Brimob
officer died and two others were injured during a clash with
rioters.
Elsewhere in North Maluku, armed mobs attacked Duma village in
predominantly-Christian Galela district at 7 a.m. on Wednesday,
leaving four people killed and three others injured, chief of
Suara Peduli Halmahera T. Situmorang said later in the day.
Pattimurra Military Commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela confirmed
the incident, but failed to go into detail.
Most of the victims were injured by stray bullets fired by
troops and traditional mines Sungga Sungga planted along the
area, Tamaela said by phone on Wednesday.
"Rioters are still trying to attack Galela and Malifut but the
troops continue to take stern action against them," he said.
In Ambon, a Brimob undercover named Second Sgt. Nazaruddin was
mobbed to death in the predominantly-Muslim Waehaong in down town
Ambon on Tuesday night.
A solidarity march was held by hundreds of Islamic Student
Association (HMI) activists in Makassar, but it turned violent
with some of them stoning three churches en route to the
Wirabuana Military Command headquarters.
Their anger multiplied as their demand to meet with military
commander Maj. Gen. Slamet Kirbiantoro failed. They pelted the
Indonesia Baru Protestant Church, which is only 50 meters away
from the military office, with stones.
Security personnel were deployed to calm the students and
huddle them towards the provincial police headquarters, but along
the way they hurled stones to the Balla Lompoa Church and the
Wirabuana Airborne Unit Church. (27/48/49/edt)