NGOs criticize extension of security operation in Poso regency

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu

Three non-governmental groups slammed the Central Sulawesi provincial administration on Tuesday for extending the security operation in Poso, saying the operation had failed to maintain security in the regency.

The provincial administration agreed to extend the operation, called the Sintuwu Maroso Operation, on July 20 during an evaluation meeting at Central Sulawesi Police Headquarters. The operation began in late 2001 and is reviewed every six months.

The Central Sulawesi Institute of Legal and Human Rights Advocacy Development Study (LPSHAM), the Committee for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence and the Indonesian Legal Aid Association, said the extension unnecessary and done without evaluating the results of previous operations.

LPSHAM director Syamsul Alam Agus told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that security officers involved in the operation failed to prevent violence in the regency.

"As the operation was nearing the end of its six months, the number of violent incidents was on the rise. That means security officers 'failed' in Poso," Syamsul said.

Since 2001, a total of 3,512 police and military personnel have been deployed for the security operation. That number excludes intelligent personnel from the National Intelligence Agency, the National Police and the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus), as well as 714 local police and military personnel.

Syamsul charged that the police and military wanted to extend the operation simply to convince residents there could be no reconciliation in Poso without the presence of security personnel.

He added that the rising violence in Poso was used to justify the operation's extension.

"So the violence is the trigger for 'security projects' in Poso," Syamsul said.

He also said law enforcers had failed to gain the trust of the Muslim and Christian communities in Poso.

In addition, of 166 criminal cases recorded from 2002 to June 2005, only nine reached the courts, he added.

During that same period, the institute recorded 36 shootings and 32 bombings committed by unknown assailants, injuring 207 people and killing 79.

Syamsul urged the central government to take part in evaluating the extension of the security operation in Poso.

The secretary of Central Sulawesi provincial administration, Gumyadi, confirmed the administration had approved the extension of the security operation in Poso for the seventh time. He said the operation was extended in light of the ongoing security disturbances in the regency.

"We still need security personnel in Poso," Gumyadi said.