Tension escalates in Poso: Police

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)