Police find live bombs in conflict-ridden Poso

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi

Police found at least 27 live bombs during a raid early on Tuesday in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, where about 2,000 people died in two years of sectarian clashes from 2000 to 2002.

The homemade bombs discovered in Tabalu village, Poso Pesisir subdistrict, were believed to be left over from stashed munitions used in the fighting.

Also found were 17 rounds of ammunition of 5.56 millimeter caliber, two homemade weapons and two FN colt pistols.

The finding followed tipoffs from local villagers who contacted the police and informed them of the existence of the munitions.

"We thank locals for the information. It helped us find the hidden explosives and other dangerous goods, which, we believe, are part of munitions used during the sectarian clashes in 2000.

"We are expecting other villagers to have such courage," Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Abdi Dharma Sitepu said on the sidelines of a coordinating meeting in the Central Sulawesi capital of Palu to discuss security ahead and during the upcoming elections.

In a predawn raid on Monday, the police found dozens of detonators, a grindstone and welding equipment wrapped in a sack in Mapane village following a report from local residents.

The equipment is believed to be for making weapons.

Another active bomb was also found a day earlier in a suburban area in the regency after the police received a report from a local resident about a suspicious package near a bridge in the neighborhood of Moengko, close to the border of Kayamanya.

Three other homemade bombs and a firearm were also found early this month in a raid in Tabalu village, Poso Pesisir subdistrict.

Poso has been subject to tight security measures after bloody sectarian violence erupted in the regency in 2000.

The bloody clashes largely subsided after a peace accord between Muslim and Christian leaders was signed in February 2002.

The fragile accord was put to the test when an unidentified group launched a bloody attack on Beteleme village in Morowali regency on Oct. 10, which left three people dead and 35 houses burned down.

Days later, similar attacks hit Poso, leaving at least nine people dead.

Law enforcers immediately took stern action against suspected perpetrators accused of having links to regional terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah. However, sporadic violence has continued to take place in Poso.

The police extended a major operation earlier this month for another six months to maintain security in the religiously divided town.

The operation is supported by some 7,000 personnel from the police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) who have been deployed to hot spots and security posts across Poso.

About 900 soldiers have been assigned to help the operation.

Meanwhile, Poso Regent A. Muin Pusadan said that Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla was slated to visit Poso to attend peace talks with local youths.

During the visit, the minister is expected to hand over 70 rototillers to dozens of cooperatives in Poso and Morowali, which are managed by youths.