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.