Militant hunt has Poso locals spooked
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Poso, Central Sulawesi
7 Nov 2006

The announcement last week that police were hunting for 29 militants allegedly involved in terror activities in Poso has caused great concern among locals.
Many residents are afraid to leave their homes, worried that they will be falsely arrested and tortured.
"The police usually beat us first before letting us go. (Then) they can only say sorry for it and the case is considered closed," Wisnu, a resident, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Residents say the police usually beat suspects before questioning them. Mardani Yusuf, Ardianto and Dani, all employees of Poso District Hospital, said that had been beaten by the police because they had beards.
The three were among the hospital staff that helped evacuate the victims of a violent incident between police and residents in Tanah Runtuh on Oct. 22, in which a Muslim man and toddler were killed. They have since filed a lawsuit against the police.
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam, who visited Poso last week, said that police would not use torture to extract confessions and would focus on obtaining material evidence.
Several families have expressed shock at discovering that their sons are on the wanted list.
Rusli Ngidoe told journalists that his son Amril "Aat" Ngiode was "not involved" in the bombings in Tentena, but was on the wanted list.
"Aat only knew there was a bombing in Tentena after he woke up from his nap. There's no way he was involved," he said.
South Sulawesi Police spokesman Muhammad Kilat told the Post the police had based the list on solid evidence and information from reliable sources.
"Everything has been well considered. If anybody wishes to protest, please do. It's their right," he said.