Unidentified gunmen strike again in C. Sulawesi
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu
Unidentified assailants launched two separate attacks in Central Sulawesi on Wednesday, killing at least three people despite stepped-up security by authorities in the troubled province.
Police said on Thursday unidentified gunmen killed a 25-year- old Hindu woman originally from Bali, Ni Nengah Anggrenadi, and wounded two Christians in Poso regency at about 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday night.
Nengah died at Poso General Hospital, where the two people injured in the attack in Kawende village, Poso Pesisir district, are being treated for gunshot wounds.
Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Abdi Dharma Sitepu said a group of about 10 men armed with rifles fired shots at the three victims before fleeing by motorboat.
"We have been unable to conclude where the perpetrators fled to. They may have headed to Ampana, the capital city of Tojo Unauna regency," he said.
Abdi said several suspects accused of involvement in the recent murders of prosecutor Ferry Silalahi and clergywoman Susianti Tinulele had been arrested in Ampana.
Ferry, 46, who prosecuted several terrorism cases, was gunned down by unknown assailants in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on May 26 after attending an evening church service. On July 18, unidentified attackers shot dead the 29-year-old Susianti while she was delivering a sermon at the city's Effata Church.
Police believe Wednesday's attack in Poso was committed by the same group of gunmen who killed Ferry and Susianti, as well as previous victims.
Abdi said a team of police officers was searching for the suspects in Ampana. "We hope local residents will not be tight- lipped about the identity of the attackers."
Also on Wednesday, the bodies of two Christian men were found in Jono Oge village, Sigi Biromaru district, Donggala regency, some 12 kilometers from Palu and 262 kilometers from Poso. The men had severe stab wounds to the neck.
The victims, identified as Sakeas Tesa, 54, and Yahya Yuta Jama, 45, were killed by two assailants riding a Yamaha FIZR motorcycle, Donggala Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sismantoro said.
He said the two victims were murdered as they returned from a cigarette kiosk.
"Based on statements from witnesses, Sakeas was the first target and he died at the scene, followed by Yahya Yuta," Sismantoro said.
A number of residents said they attempted to detain the killers, but they fled on motorcycle toward the town of Sigi Biromoru.
"We saw the red and white motorcycle but don't remember its license number," one witness, Alexius, said.
The motive behind the killings remains unclear and police are investigating the case.
Residents of Jono Oge launched community patrols of the village following the murders. Some 75 police officers were also deployed to the village.
Fighting between Christians and Muslims in Central Sulawesi flared up in 2000 and has so far left more than 1,000 people dead. The government brokered a peace deal in December 2001 but sporadic attacks have continued.
Police and military have for months been searching for the unidentified gunmen blamed for recent attacks on Christians in the area. However, the authorities have made few arrests.
The police have blamed this failure on a lack of cooperation from residents.