Three detained, five sought in Poso riot

JAKARTA (JP): The police in Poso, Central Sulawesi have detained three suspects and are currently looking for five others believed to be behind the spate of recent riots, an official said on Monday as quoted by Antara.

"The five suspects who were still at large, including Herman Praimo, were believed to have masterminded the recent bloody incidents," Poso Police precinct chief Lt. Col. Dedy Woeryandono said. He declined further elaboration on the four other suspects.

The riots began at dawn on Dec. 26 when a man performing his prayers at a local mosque was slashed with a machete by three drunk men. The riots reportedly damaged 55 houses and left 112 people injured.

Police earlier arrested three suspects connected with the riots, identified only as RR, RM and BP. "They were arrested separately at their hideouts," Dedy said without giving details.

He also cited the possibility that security personnel were involved in the unrest.

"We hope that we can clear up all questions by questioning the arrested suspects. We also need information from the people," he said, urging locals to help the police arrest those who behind the unrest.

Poso had returned to normal and security forces had been pulled out of the district's capital, he added.

"The riots caused material losses of more than Rp 7 billion, but no places of worship were vandalized," the newly installed police chief said.

Religious leaders in Poso have called on people to strengthen solidarity and tolerance among religious groups, as well as urging the local government to be more active in preventing possible future riots.

During the five days of rioting in Poso, the Central Sulawesi administration reported some 81 houses, tourist sites, entertainment spots and public facilities, plus 14 vehicles, had been either vandalized or destroyed.

As of Monday, it was reported that 101 people -- nine of whom were seriously injured -- were treated at a nearby hospital following the clashes. This figure includes 15 security officers and 86 civilians.

Meanwhile, dozens of tourists canceled trips to Poso Lake because of the unrest.

"We have lost a number of guests due to the riots, but hopefully we can resume normal operations after Poso is declared safe," the manager of Hotel Palu Golden, Amir Mustharom, was quoted as saying. (edt)