Tension escalates in Poso: Police

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The South Sulawesi Police sent 300 personnel from its Mobile Brigade (Brimob) unit to the restive regency of Poso in Central Sulawesi following an escalation in sectarian tension, South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Sofyan Jacob said on Tuesday.

With the sending of the 300 personnel to Poso, 100 officers who have been posted there for six months would be recalled, Sofyan said.

Speaking to The Jakarta Post after leading the ceremony to mark the departure of the 300 personnel here, the police chief said that tension in the town of Poso had been intensified with sporadic violence reported.

Reports from Poso said on Wednesday that the situation in Poso had been worsening since early January.

Locals said that one night hundreds of masked people garbed in black intercepted a Kijang van with eight people in it heading toward Tentena, some 70 kilometers from Poso. The unidentified assailants said they were suspicious that the Kijang was carrying explosives. They let the people continue their journey after damaging the van.

Last week, a number of unidentified people stopped a public bus in Poso. They then vandalized the bus belonging to NV Haji Kalla before allowing the driver to proceed.

Another incident took place on Jan. 15 when another group of people intercepted a speeding Kijang van, saying that the van was probably carrying bombs. The van was also damaged. No fatalities ensued from the incidents.

The latest violence took place on Tuesday when a man who was working with seven other men on a river project was shot by unidentified snipers.

Local police confirmed the report, saying that Ngardiman was shot in the chest by a handmade gun. The police did not identify the attackers.

The recent unrest has forced hundreds of Poso residents to seek refuge mostly in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi.

Conflicts between Christians and Muslims have rocked Poso for years. The feud started sometime in 1985, but serious attempts by the military and police to deal with the violence have been undertaken since the May 1999 outbreak of bloodletting which continued until early 2000. At least 300 people have been killed in the Poso sectarian conflicts.

At least two people were arrested for their involvement in the deadly riots. One of them, Cornelis Tibo is facing trial in Palu for masterminding the mayhem. (24/27)