Poso Police put price on suspects' heads

Poso Police put price on suspects' heads

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Poso

After two weeks of a fruitless manhunt, the Poso Police chief
announced on Saturday a reward to anyone who provided information
on the perpetrators behind the recent Poso Central Market blast.

"We will give a Rp 25 million (US$2,800) reward to whoever
catches them or informs us as to their identities and
whereabouts," Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Abdi Dharma Sitepu
told The Jakarta Post.

Abdi said the police decided to offer a reward so Poso
residents would be encouraged to reveal information on the
perpetrators.

"One of the problems we face in solving crimes in Poso is the
unwillingness of the Poso community to report any information to
us. Some have even concealed the whereabouts of suspects involved
in murders, shootings or bombings," Abdi said.

The police chief said investigators had so far questioned
dozens of witnesses who were in the vicinity of the explosion,
including public minivan driver Dekianus, but no one appeared to
know anything about the perpetrators.

Poso Police are continuing to probe the case along with a team
of detectives from National Police headquarters, who have been
deployed to assist local police in the conflict area.

The Nov. 13 bombing of Poso Central Market killed six
passengers of a public minivan.

Poso was rocked by sectarian clashes that broke out in 2000
and killed some 2,000 people over the next two years. The
security situation improved in 2002, but sporadic armed attacks
and bombings continue to this day.