Poso again tense

POSO, Central Sulawesi: The situation in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, remained tense on Sunday after a recurrence of unrest during the past week.

The situation threatened to escalate into open conflict when it was discovered that a resident of Sayo district, Jismanto, died in hospital on Friday due to a gunshot.

Immediately there was speculation that an unidentified gunman had shot the 19-year-old.

However, Antara reported that Poso Police Chief Adj. Comr. Djasman Baso Opu asserted that Jismanto had died by his own homemade rifle.

"He died as he was trying out his own assembled rifle," he asserted.

The latest tension has seen at least 5,000 residents flee to a nearby town fearing that the communal violence which shook the regency last year would again break out.

The latest attacks and torching of several houses and public facilities were committed by unidentified criminals.(mds)