Rights groups want reshuffle in Poso

JAKARTA: In response to the continuing violence in Poso, Central Sulawesi, rights groups called on the government to replace the military commander and police chief in the province, on the grounds that they had failed to ease the tension there.

The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) and human rights watch Imparsial also demanded the withdrawal of 3,900 security personnel deployed in the restive area to prevent them from being mired in the protracted conflict.

Two people have been killed in mysterious circumstances in the past week.

The rights groups also demanded the thorough investigation of anyone implicated in the violence. -- JP