Jakarta – The national human rights body has called on security forces to consider temporarily halting their prolonged Operation Tinombala against militants of slain terrorism suspect Santoso in Poso, Central Sulawesi, amid efforts to persuade them to surrender.
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) will dispatch humanitarian workers to Poso to assist security forces with their efforts.
In doing so, volunteers, doctors and nurses from the Jakarta-based Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (Mer-C) will establish posts in Poso where members of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group are present.
"The plan should ideally be followed by an assurance from the [National Police] that there will be no pressure of any form against the militants. It is better to consider provisionally stopping the operation for the time being," Komnas HAM anti-terrorism operation member, Busyro Muqoddas, said on Tuesday (09/08).
An operation involving around 3,600 police officers and members of the Indonesia Military (TNI) against the group in Poso has been extended twice since it was first instated early this year.
Santoso, the country's formerly most-wanted terrorism fugitive and one his followers, identified as Muchtar, were killed during a shootout with security forces late last month in Poso's hilly jungle areas. Authorities have since urged remaining militants to surrender.
The death of Santoso led two of his followers, identified as Salman, alias Opik, and Jumri, alias Tamar, to surrender themselves to authorities early this month. However, around 16 other members remain at large.
Security forces are now anticipating a possible counterattack by the remaining militants that police have said are believed to be regrouping under a new leader.
"The approach in Poso should gradually be shifted from security to welfare. Thus there will be no more approach that could be against the principles of human rights," Komnas HAM commissioner Hafid Abbas said.