Bomb Explodes Again in Poso
Friday, 19 January, 2007 | 11:23 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Poso: The fear of violence occurring in Poso within this week is not yet restrained, but they were jolted again by a bombing yesterday (18/1). The explosion was on Jalan Pulau Sumbawa, Gebang Rejo subdistrict, Poso City. Fortunately, there were not any victims.

According to Poso Subregional Police Chief, Adj. Chief Comm. Rudi Sufahriyadi, the bomb with low explosive power exploded at 9.30am (Central Indonesian Time). The bomb, he said, was put by someone on a channel behind the PT Bank Sulteng, Poso branch office. Fortunately, there was no damage to the office. The explosion was only 100 meters away from Poso Subregional Police Station.

However, the explosion forced the office employees to disperse outside. “I jumped because I thought the office was bombed,” said one of the employees yesterday.

The explosion scene was also near the Poso central market.

After a few hours, the Central Sulawesi Regional Police Bomb Squad came to seek out the location for around 30 minutes.

Before, in the meeting between the Poso Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) and Poso Subregional Police Chief, the Council asked the police to stop the operation temporarily to prevent another victim.

However, the request was rejected by Rudi Sufahriyadi. According to him, the operation carried out by the police is for upholding justice. This is because, he said, the police’s target is 18 people who are wanted for rioting in Poso.

From Jakarta, Indonesian National Police Chief Gen. Sutanto said he will take strict action on all rioting perpetrators in Poso. To avoid violence, he asked the police fugitives to give up.

Darlis and Dian Y