Sniper shoots university rector

POSO, Central Sulawesi: A sniper shot the rector of Sintuvu Maroso University (Unsimar), J. Pogege, on Monday as he was on his way from the campus to his house in the village of Gebang Rejo.

Pogege was rushed to Poso General Hospital to treat injuries to his forehead. The bullet first hit the side window of his car before hitting him.

A hospital officer said the rector did not suffer serious injuries, but lost a lot of blood from the wound.

Spokesman of Central Sulawesi Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sugiarto said that the police were still in the dark about the shooting. "The sniper escaped soon after he shot the rector."

The officer said that the situation in Poso, which has been hit by religious and ethnic clashes since last year, had been improving recently, but gunshots and explosions were still heard sporadically in suburban areas.

"The shooter must be someone who does not want to see peace [in Poso]," said Agus. (24/02)