NGOs criticize extension of security operation in Poso regency
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.