Three detained, five sought in Poso riot

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)