PALU, Central Sulawesi: The religiously split Palu regency will not reinstate the security operation command (Koopskam) despite violence that followed the execution of three Christians on Sept. 22, the Central Sulawesi governor says.
Governor Bandjela Paliudju said local security forces were capable of handling the situation in Poso, which for some years was the scene of a sectarian conflict that killed more than 1,000 Muslims and Christians.
"We don't need Koopskam at the present," Paliudju said after meeting with the visiting head of the National Intelligence Agency, Syamsir Siregar.
The central government formed Koopskam in January in the wake of escalating tension. It was disbanded in June.
Syamsir played down the latest round of violence, saying that the incidents had been "exaggerated" by the media, Antara reported.
As an example, he said, the media described a grenade used in an attack in Poso on Sept. 30 as "very lethal", while in fact the grenade was "only an old one". -- JP
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Police make arrests over Poso deaths
The Jakarta Post
Palu, Jakarta
Two Muslim men were allegedly slain by a crowd angered by last month's execution of three Christian militants in Central Sulawesi province, police said Monday, while a small explosion shook Poso on Sunday.
The two had been missing for two weeks when their bodies were discovered Saturday in Pongge village in the strife-torn town of Poso, Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Muhammad Kilat said.
He said at least 14 suspects had been arrested and that the number could increase to up to 25 depending on the results of the police investigation.
Three of the suspects have said they decapitated the two victims on the orders of a man identified as Api Tumonggi.
"I used a machete to chop their heads off. Afterward, I ran to the backyard to hide. I really regret my wrongdoing," said Eping, 29, one of the three.
He said a feeling of guilt had "shadowed" him, prompting him to hand himself over to police, along with two other suspects, Bambang and Saiful, after hiding for a week.
"Api Tumonggi must be held responsible for the crime. I was only his accomplice," Eping said.
He said the two victims had attempted to hide inside a house of one of the village's residents, but the mob was so large it was impossible to escape.
Kilat said the men had been traveling in a truck carrying fish when they were stopped by a crowd of Christians on Sept. 23, a day after police executed three Christians for leading a militia in several attacks that killed Muslims during sectarian violence in Poso six years ago.
"They were told to stop but refused. They were chased by the angry group and mobbed," Kilat was quoted by Reuters as saying, adding that the attack had been "spontaneous".
The Sept. 22 executions of Fabianus Tibo, Marianus Riwu and Dominggus da Silva triggered riots among Christians, while human rights groups have raised questions over the fairness of the trial.
The family of Tibo, who live on Flores island, said Monday they had decided to have his body autopsied and to take the case to an international court for alleged human rights violations in the execution.
"We held a family meeting on Friday in Ende (in Flores) and agreed to conduct and autopsy and file a suit with an international court," family spokeswoman Yustinus Sani told Antara.
Five bullet wounds were found in each of the three men, she said, indicating they had been tortured before being shot dead by the firing squad.
Yustinus said the plans for the autopsy and lawsuit would have to wait until after the 40th night ceremony had been held for Tibo. Local custom forbids an autopsy less than 40 days after death.
Meanwhile, a bomb blast shook Poso on Sunday night, but there were no reports of deaths or injuries.
The explosion, believed to have been caused by a homemade bomb, took place 9:45 p.m. in Kasiguncu subdistrict. A house owned by former Poso legislative council member Pedi Tandwuiya, was damaged in the blast. Pedi vacated the building in 2000 because of the escalating violence in the area.
National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Bambang Kuncoko said two witnesses had been questioned over the low-explosive blast.
"There are people and groups that don't want Poso and Central Sulawesi to be stable. However, the situation is now under control. We have deployed eight squads of officers to many locations across the town," Bambang said.***
Palu, Jakarta
Two Muslim men were allegedly slain by a crowd angered by last month's execution of three Christian militants in Central Sulawesi province, police said Monday, while a small explosion shook Poso on Sunday.
The two had been missing for two weeks when their bodies were discovered Saturday in Pongge village in the strife-torn town of Poso, Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Muhammad Kilat said.
He said at least 14 suspects had been arrested and that the number could increase to up to 25 depending on the results of the police investigation.
Three of the suspects have said they decapitated the two victims on the orders of a man identified as Api Tumonggi.
"I used a machete to chop their heads off. Afterward, I ran to the backyard to hide. I really regret my wrongdoing," said Eping, 29, one of the three.
He said a feeling of guilt had "shadowed" him, prompting him to hand himself over to police, along with two other suspects, Bambang and Saiful, after hiding for a week.
"Api Tumonggi must be held responsible for the crime. I was only his accomplice," Eping said.
He said the two victims had attempted to hide inside a house of one of the village's residents, but the mob was so large it was impossible to escape.
Kilat said the men had been traveling in a truck carrying fish when they were stopped by a crowd of Christians on Sept. 23, a day after police executed three Christians for leading a militia in several attacks that killed Muslims during sectarian violence in Poso six years ago.
"They were told to stop but refused. They were chased by the angry group and mobbed," Kilat was quoted by Reuters as saying, adding that the attack had been "spontaneous".
The Sept. 22 executions of Fabianus Tibo, Marianus Riwu and Dominggus da Silva triggered riots among Christians, while human rights groups have raised questions over the fairness of the trial.
The family of Tibo, who live on Flores island, said Monday they had decided to have his body autopsied and to take the case to an international court for alleged human rights violations in the execution.
"We held a family meeting on Friday in Ende (in Flores) and agreed to conduct and autopsy and file a suit with an international court," family spokeswoman Yustinus Sani told Antara.
Five bullet wounds were found in each of the three men, she said, indicating they had been tortured before being shot dead by the firing squad.
Yustinus said the plans for the autopsy and lawsuit would have to wait until after the 40th night ceremony had been held for Tibo. Local custom forbids an autopsy less than 40 days after death.
Meanwhile, a bomb blast shook Poso on Sunday night, but there were no reports of deaths or injuries.
The explosion, believed to have been caused by a homemade bomb, took place 9:45 p.m. in Kasiguncu subdistrict. A house owned by former Poso legislative council member Pedi Tandwuiya, was damaged in the blast. Pedi vacated the building in 2000 because of the escalating violence in the area.
National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Bambang Kuncoko said two witnesses had been questioned over the low-explosive blast.
"There are people and groups that don't want Poso and Central Sulawesi to be stable. However, the situation is now under control. We have deployed eight squads of officers to many locations across the town," Bambang said.***
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Security tight after violence flares in Poso
National News - October 02, 2006
Ruslan Sangadji
The Jakarta Post
Poso, Central Sulawesi
Paramilitary police are being deployed here after a series of attacks and bombings during the weekend amid rising religious tensions following the executions of three Christian militants.
About 20 men wearing black masks blocked a road in Poso town, witnesses told The Associated Press.
They stopped a bus and forced five passengers to get out, intimidating them and stabbing one before police arrived.
The victim was hospitalized with wounds to his back, said Yeni, a nurse. She described his condition as "serious".
Communal tensions have risen on Sulawesi since the executions last week of three Catholic men convicted of leading a militia that carried out attacks in 2000, including an assault on an Islamic school that left at least 70 dead.
Early Sunday morning two bombs exploded near a church and local government offices in Poso's Kawua subdistrict. No one was hurt. When police later arrived, a group of angry Christian villagers attacked them, accusing them of failing to secure the area.
Cornered, police retreated to the Muslim-majority Sayo subdistrict.
A few hours before midnight Saturday, a police vehicle was attacked when a group of men threw a small bomb at a bomb-squad van, AFP reported.
It was the fourth to rock the town in a day, police said.
Previously, three other small bombs went off on Saturday night, part of what police say is an attempt to stir up unrest after the execution of Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus Da Silva and Marinus Riwu.
The three were shot dead by firing squad on Sept. 22.
Human rights activists believe the executions were hasty and politically motivated. No Muslims involved in the convict were sentenced to death and all received jail terms of less than 15 years.
On Friday, more than 100 Christian youths, angered by the Sept. 22 executions, torched a police station and hurled rocks at a helicopter carrying a police chief, state news agency Antara said.
Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Rudy Sufahyadi said the situation in Poso was now under control after the deployment of another 300 officers from the East Kalimantan Police.
Residents have also returned home to the Kawua and Sayo subdistricts in the city although the situation there remains tense.
National Police chief Gen. Sutanto called on people Sunday not to be easily provoked into a larger-scale conflict.
In Taripa village, the situation was calm after the riot at the Pamona Timur Police headquarters there two weeks ago.
The compound remains guarded by members of the Central Sulawesi Police Mobile Brigade, while remnants of burned vehicles resulting from the riot have not been removed.
The Trans Sulawesi highway that links four main provinces on the island has also been reopened.
Thousands of people earlier ran amok at the headquarters after the executions, ransacking the building and setting fire to police vehicles.
Several policemen from the precinct were reported to have fled into the mountains.***
Ruslan Sangadji
The Jakarta Post
Poso, Central Sulawesi
Paramilitary police are being deployed here after a series of attacks and bombings during the weekend amid rising religious tensions following the executions of three Christian militants.
About 20 men wearing black masks blocked a road in Poso town, witnesses told The Associated Press.
They stopped a bus and forced five passengers to get out, intimidating them and stabbing one before police arrived.
The victim was hospitalized with wounds to his back, said Yeni, a nurse. She described his condition as "serious".
Communal tensions have risen on Sulawesi since the executions last week of three Catholic men convicted of leading a militia that carried out attacks in 2000, including an assault on an Islamic school that left at least 70 dead.
Early Sunday morning two bombs exploded near a church and local government offices in Poso's Kawua subdistrict. No one was hurt. When police later arrived, a group of angry Christian villagers attacked them, accusing them of failing to secure the area.
Cornered, police retreated to the Muslim-majority Sayo subdistrict.
A few hours before midnight Saturday, a police vehicle was attacked when a group of men threw a small bomb at a bomb-squad van, AFP reported.
It was the fourth to rock the town in a day, police said.
Previously, three other small bombs went off on Saturday night, part of what police say is an attempt to stir up unrest after the execution of Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus Da Silva and Marinus Riwu.
The three were shot dead by firing squad on Sept. 22.
Human rights activists believe the executions were hasty and politically motivated. No Muslims involved in the convict were sentenced to death and all received jail terms of less than 15 years.
On Friday, more than 100 Christian youths, angered by the Sept. 22 executions, torched a police station and hurled rocks at a helicopter carrying a police chief, state news agency Antara said.
Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Rudy Sufahyadi said the situation in Poso was now under control after the deployment of another 300 officers from the East Kalimantan Police.
Residents have also returned home to the Kawua and Sayo subdistricts in the city although the situation there remains tense.
National Police chief Gen. Sutanto called on people Sunday not to be easily provoked into a larger-scale conflict.
In Taripa village, the situation was calm after the riot at the Pamona Timur Police headquarters there two weeks ago.
The compound remains guarded by members of the Central Sulawesi Police Mobile Brigade, while remnants of burned vehicles resulting from the riot have not been removed.
The Trans Sulawesi highway that links four main provinces on the island has also been reopened.
Thousands of people earlier ran amok at the headquarters after the executions, ransacking the building and setting fire to police vehicles.
Several policemen from the precinct were reported to have fled into the mountains.***
Police identify perpetrators of Taripa riot
National News - October 03, 2006
Ruslan Sangadji
The Jakarta Post
Poso
The Central Sulawesi Police say they have identified four people whom they believe were involved in the disturbances in Taripa, East Pamona district, Poso regency, on Sept. 29. They are still at large.
Two police cars and two motorcycles, and the Taripa police post were damaged in the incident.
Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. M. Kilat said Monday that the police had not yet made any arrests as they still lacked sufficient evidence. They are now questioning the four as witnesses after they were identified as having participated in the riot.
"There are some legal steps we have to go through before charging and arresting them," said Kilat.
The disturbances followed last week's execution of three Christians by firing squad in Palu.
The three were executed after being convicted of inciting violence against Muslims in 2000. The executions went ahead despite the opposition of many Christians.
Sporadic unrest in Christian-dominated areas erupted after the executions.
According to Kilat, most of the suspects are from outside Taripa, but are from within the Poso area. The instigators had taken advantage of the padungku (harvest) festival in Taripa village, which was attended by thousands of people from a number of villages in East Pamona district, as well as neighboring North Pamona.
The festival is usually marked by heavy drinking. "The provocateurs benefited from the situation to mobilize the crowd," said Kilat.
The situation in Poso appears to be getting worse, with angry mobs blocking the Trans-Sulawesi highway. In Kayamanya in Poso city, a public bus plying the Parigi-Makassar route was stopped and its passengers attacked and beaten.
One passenger, Jelin, 20, who suffered wounds to his back and head, is still being treated at the Poso General Hospital.
Kilat said that the attack was carried out by about five unidentified persons wearing masks.
Another victim, Ebiet, said that he and his three companions were abducted for two days in South Pamona. However, he was eventually freed although two of his friends, who were of a different faith, continued to be detained.
Ebiet said in Palu on Saturday that the assailants, numbering around 10 people, wore masks. They appeared out of the bushes as Ebiet's car approached. "Four of us were in the car. Myself and a friend of mine were released but they kept the other two, who are Christians," he said.
A police post was set on fire in Poso on Sunday. The arson attack took place as Muslim residents in Gerbang Rejo were enjoying their breaking-of-the-fast meals. They tried to put out the fire but to no avail. No one saw the perpetrators.
In Kawua and Sayo, gunshots were heard in the two subdistricts, which mark the demarcation line between Christian and Muslim communities, at around 10:30 p.m. local time. A resident from Lombogia subdistrict, Muhammad Rasyid, said he heard five shots, adding that local people had remained calm.
Meanwhile, in order to help contain the situation, a meeting between representatives of the Muslim and Christian communities was held Saturday under the sponsorship of the Poso regental administration.
The meeting was chaired by Poso Regent Piet Inkiriwang, who urged religious figures to help persuade their followers not to be easily provoked by third parties.***
Ruslan Sangadji
The Jakarta Post
Poso
The Central Sulawesi Police say they have identified four people whom they believe were involved in the disturbances in Taripa, East Pamona district, Poso regency, on Sept. 29. They are still at large.
Two police cars and two motorcycles, and the Taripa police post were damaged in the incident.
Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. M. Kilat said Monday that the police had not yet made any arrests as they still lacked sufficient evidence. They are now questioning the four as witnesses after they were identified as having participated in the riot.
"There are some legal steps we have to go through before charging and arresting them," said Kilat.
The disturbances followed last week's execution of three Christians by firing squad in Palu.
The three were executed after being convicted of inciting violence against Muslims in 2000. The executions went ahead despite the opposition of many Christians.
Sporadic unrest in Christian-dominated areas erupted after the executions.
According to Kilat, most of the suspects are from outside Taripa, but are from within the Poso area. The instigators had taken advantage of the padungku (harvest) festival in Taripa village, which was attended by thousands of people from a number of villages in East Pamona district, as well as neighboring North Pamona.
The festival is usually marked by heavy drinking. "The provocateurs benefited from the situation to mobilize the crowd," said Kilat.
The situation in Poso appears to be getting worse, with angry mobs blocking the Trans-Sulawesi highway. In Kayamanya in Poso city, a public bus plying the Parigi-Makassar route was stopped and its passengers attacked and beaten.
One passenger, Jelin, 20, who suffered wounds to his back and head, is still being treated at the Poso General Hospital.
Kilat said that the attack was carried out by about five unidentified persons wearing masks.
Another victim, Ebiet, said that he and his three companions were abducted for two days in South Pamona. However, he was eventually freed although two of his friends, who were of a different faith, continued to be detained.
Ebiet said in Palu on Saturday that the assailants, numbering around 10 people, wore masks. They appeared out of the bushes as Ebiet's car approached. "Four of us were in the car. Myself and a friend of mine were released but they kept the other two, who are Christians," he said.
A police post was set on fire in Poso on Sunday. The arson attack took place as Muslim residents in Gerbang Rejo were enjoying their breaking-of-the-fast meals. They tried to put out the fire but to no avail. No one saw the perpetrators.
In Kawua and Sayo, gunshots were heard in the two subdistricts, which mark the demarcation line between Christian and Muslim communities, at around 10:30 p.m. local time. A resident from Lombogia subdistrict, Muhammad Rasyid, said he heard five shots, adding that local people had remained calm.
Meanwhile, in order to help contain the situation, a meeting between representatives of the Muslim and Christian communities was held Saturday under the sponsorship of the Poso regental administration.
The meeting was chaired by Poso Regent Piet Inkiriwang, who urged religious figures to help persuade their followers not to be easily provoked by third parties.***
Poso activist denies military accusation
Ruslan Sangadji
The Jakarta Post
Palu
A civil society activist in Poso, Central Sulawesi, denied Friday military accusations that he had been involved in the violence that followed the executions of three Catholics.
Iskandar Lamuka, director of Poso-based NGO the Institute for Empowering Civil Society, said he had been called by the Poso Police for questioning.
"I've received a letter from the police asking me to attend a questioning session on Monday. I'll be there and will explain what really happened," he said.
On Thursday, Wirabuana Military commander Maj. Gen. Arief Budi Sampurno named Iskandar as one several non-governmental activists and local officials he believed were behind the violence in the aftermath of the executions of the Poso Three.
Fabianus Tibo, Marinus Riwu and Dominggus da Silva were found guilty of leading a Christian militia that launched a series of attacks in Central Sulawesi in May 2000, and were sentenced to death in 2001.
Their Sept 22. executions triggered violence in the province and in East Nusa Tenggara, where da Silva was from. In Poso, angry Taripa villagers in the North Pamona district stormed a police station and set fire to three cars, while the town itself has been rocked by several recent bombings.
Poso military command chief Lt. Col. Indra Maulana Harahap, following the orders of Arief, officially reported Iskandar to the Poso Police for defamation after he gave an interview to local radio station 68H on Oct. 2. Iskandar says he believes he did not defame any individuals or institutions in the interview.
"(I was only saying that) there are certain groups that intentionally provoke residents to trigger open conflict and legitimize the police in declaring a civil to emergency situation," he said.
Iskandar said Arief had accused him of provoking residents to resort to violent acts.
"I never said anything like that. I never accused TNI as (Arief) said. The accusation is groundless. (Arief)'s statement is misleading," said Iskandar, who is also an executive of the Poso Center NGO.
Before setting up his civil society institute, Iskandar, along with Poso community figure Yus Mangun, worked assisting conflict victims in Poso who were fleeing to Palu. He also pushed for the disclosure of the details of a Poso humanitarian fund corruption case that involved several important officials, a move that allegedly helped make his office a bomb target.
Meanwhile, the Poso Center has said it intends to prepare several lawyers to accompany Iskandar during his Monday questioning.
"We believe Iskandar is innocent, it's just the Wirabuana Military commander who doesn't want to be criticized. if he wanted to have dialog, things would clear up," said Mahfud Masuara, the center's secretary.
He said individuals, NGOs and religious groups had all criticized the way the authorities had handled Poso and the Military's decision to deploy troops.
He said the violence was evidence of the government's failure and that it and the authorities should be held responsible.
"We also want a review of the troop presence in Poso because they haven't made the situation there any better," Mahfud said.***
The Jakarta Post
Palu
A civil society activist in Poso, Central Sulawesi, denied Friday military accusations that he had been involved in the violence that followed the executions of three Catholics.
Iskandar Lamuka, director of Poso-based NGO the Institute for Empowering Civil Society, said he had been called by the Poso Police for questioning.
"I've received a letter from the police asking me to attend a questioning session on Monday. I'll be there and will explain what really happened," he said.
On Thursday, Wirabuana Military commander Maj. Gen. Arief Budi Sampurno named Iskandar as one several non-governmental activists and local officials he believed were behind the violence in the aftermath of the executions of the Poso Three.
Fabianus Tibo, Marinus Riwu and Dominggus da Silva were found guilty of leading a Christian militia that launched a series of attacks in Central Sulawesi in May 2000, and were sentenced to death in 2001.
Their Sept 22. executions triggered violence in the province and in East Nusa Tenggara, where da Silva was from. In Poso, angry Taripa villagers in the North Pamona district stormed a police station and set fire to three cars, while the town itself has been rocked by several recent bombings.
Poso military command chief Lt. Col. Indra Maulana Harahap, following the orders of Arief, officially reported Iskandar to the Poso Police for defamation after he gave an interview to local radio station 68H on Oct. 2. Iskandar says he believes he did not defame any individuals or institutions in the interview.
"(I was only saying that) there are certain groups that intentionally provoke residents to trigger open conflict and legitimize the police in declaring a civil to emergency situation," he said.
Iskandar said Arief had accused him of provoking residents to resort to violent acts.
"I never said anything like that. I never accused TNI as (Arief) said. The accusation is groundless. (Arief)'s statement is misleading," said Iskandar, who is also an executive of the Poso Center NGO.
Before setting up his civil society institute, Iskandar, along with Poso community figure Yus Mangun, worked assisting conflict victims in Poso who were fleeing to Palu. He also pushed for the disclosure of the details of a Poso humanitarian fund corruption case that involved several important officials, a move that allegedly helped make his office a bomb target.
Meanwhile, the Poso Center has said it intends to prepare several lawyers to accompany Iskandar during his Monday questioning.
"We believe Iskandar is innocent, it's just the Wirabuana Military commander who doesn't want to be criticized. if he wanted to have dialog, things would clear up," said Mahfud Masuara, the center's secretary.
He said individuals, NGOs and religious groups had all criticized the way the authorities had handled Poso and the Military's decision to deploy troops.
He said the violence was evidence of the government's failure and that it and the authorities should be held responsible.
"We also want a review of the troop presence in Poso because they haven't made the situation there any better," Mahfud said.***
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