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)