Darlis Muhammad, Palu – This year alone it has been recorded that attacks and violence have affected 61 villages in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi. The turmoil comprises 124 incidents that have claimed 141 lives, 90 injuries, 27 missing people and 102 cases of abuse. Furthermore, 2438 cases of arsen and other physical attacks upon houses have been recorded.

The Institute for Strategic Studies on Law and Human Rights (LPS-HAM) and the Institute for Media Development in Central Sulawesi have compiled information on these attacks and violence.

"Killings and torture has been conducted by civilians, police officers, politicians, legislators, local government officials, and criminals alike. Not only that, houses, places of worship, schools, public halls, buses, trucks and cars have all burned," Dedy Askary told Tempo News Room from Palu today (18/12).

According to Dedi, the violence in Poso is mostly due to conflicts between civilians. However, the turmoil in another seven regencies, including Banggai, Banggai Kepulauan, Morowali, Toli-toli, Buol and Palu, appear to have been triggered by local elections.