Three Military Personnel Are Suspects
Tuesday, 16 January, 2007 | 14:41 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Poso: The investigative team of the Military Police Detachment (Denpom) 7 Poso, Central Sulawesi, named three Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel as suspects in the clash between the police and TNI from Company B Military District Command 1307 Poso which took place on Friday (12/1). The clash caused three police officers to be wounded by a bayonet.

In the investigation, the Denpom team considered that the three TNI personnel committed misconduct. The initials of the TNI personnel are head private NM, private JB and private second class MFS.

In addition to naming the three suspects, the Denpom team is questioning four other TNI personnel which are also suspected of attacking police headquarter in Silanca Village, Lage Subdistrict, Poso.

Military Resort Commander 132 Tadulako, Palu, Col. Husein Malik confirmed the three suspects being held. He alleged that the attack that injured three officers at the police station is an act of vengeance. He said that some time ago, two soldiers were injured being assaulted by a group of which one of the members is a police officer. “The bottom line is we will put strict action on personnel who are found to be involved,” he said yesterday (15/1).

Husein also asked the Central Sulawesi Police Chief who imposes strict sanctions on subordinates who make mistakes. “So that no one is hurt,” he said.

After the clash, on Sunday the police and TNI agreed to withdraw their troops. The agreement was reached by Poso Police Chief, Adjunct Police Chief Commissioner Rudy Sufahriadi and 1307 Poso Military District Commander, Col. Indra Maulana Harahap. According to them, the withdrawal is aimed at avoiding another clash.

Based on Tempo observation yesterday, all security and TNI personnel were fully armed. Traffic police officers who were usually unarmed appeared to carry weapons.

Darlis