The Jakarta Post, February 18, 2003
Mob attacks police station in Poso
La Remi, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi
Reinforced security forces were on alert in North Lore subdistrict, part of the
conflict-torn regency of Poso, on Monday after a rampaging mob attacked a local
police station after police refused to hand over a suspect in the killing of a local
resident.
No casualties and injuries were reported after Sunday night's attack, but part of the
North Lore Police Headquarters in Wuasa were seriously damaged after the rioters
stoned it.
Dozens of residents from Wuasa, the main town in North Lore, marched on the
headquarters to demand that Haeruddin, 33, a suspect in the killing of 18-year-old
Albert, be given to them so they could dispense mob justice.
The police's refusal to hand over Haeruddin, a man of Bugis origin who works as a civil
servant at the Palu transportation office, triggered the crowd to begin stoning the
station.
The mob then turned their attention on members of the Bugis ethnicity, forcing many
to flee in fear.
Haeruddin became involved in a quarrel with Albert, a local Christian youth, after a
drinking session on Sunday evening.
Albert died from stab wounds to the stomach after the clash.
Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sugianto said crowds
continued to gather in certain places on Monday.
However, he said the situation was under control after the immediate deployment of
about 100 members of the police's elite Mobile Brigade (Brimob).
He said Haeruddin was taken to the Poso Regency Police Headquarters on Monday
in anticipation of a possible attack in Wuasa.
Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Taufiq Ridha flew to the scene by helicopter
on Monday to monitor the security situation in the hilly town, while Brimob officers
stood guard.
"The family of the victim has apologized to the local police chief and has promised to
settle the riot in a communal way," Taufik said.
The communal way means that local residents will repair the damaged police office,
he added.
Poso has been plagued by three years of religious fighting between Muslims and
Christians. About 2,000 people have been killed since 2000. Hundreds of thousands of
others have been forced to flee their homes.
North Lore, home to a diverse ethnic mix, is a subdistrict in Poso regency but has
escaped the worst of the war.
A peace deal signed in December 2001 between leaders of the warring factions has
managed to significantly reduce the bloodshed in Poso, but sporadic violence still
erupts.
Meanwhile, up to 400 Brimob officers arrived in the Central Sulawesi capital of Palu on
Monday and were immediately dispatched to Poso for a six-month tour of duty as part
of the routine rotation program.
At least 240 of the officers were from National Police Headquarters in Jakarta. The
rest were from East Kalimantan province.
"They will replace police officers who have completed their six-month tour in Poso,"
Taufik said after arriving back from North Lore.
"So there are no reinforcements of police officers in Poso," he said.
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