Unidentified gunmen strike again in C. Sulawesi
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.