Poso remains calm after bomb blast

POSO, Central Sulawesi: The situation remained calm on Friday in the Central Sulawesi town of Poso following a bomb blast in a field two days ahead of Christmas.

The police are continuing their investigation of the case.

To prevent a similar incident, security officers said that they would intensify their efforts to guard churches, hospitals and a number of vital installations ahead of the New Year.

"We hope that people will be more proactive in helping security officers maintain the current level of security," Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Taufiq Ridha told reporters after attending Friday prayers.

"As of today, we (the police) have yet to find the perpetrators as some local people are not saying anything even though we believe that the bomb went off in their field," he added.

The bomb, a low explosive device, exploded on Tuesday as the nation readied for Christmas. No fatalities were reported in the blast, which took place in a field in front of the offices of the head of Lembomawo subdistrict in Poso. A window in the building was blown out.

"We are happy to say that Poso residents were unaffected by the incident and were able to continue going about their normal activities," Taufiq said. -- JP