Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta – Human rights activists called on the government Wednesday to publicly account for its six-month security operation in conflict-scarred Central Sulawesi, which will end this month.

Usman Hamid, the coordinator of the National Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), argued the evaluation was necessary because tension had remained high since the government deployed a task force there in January.

"We recorded at least 21 cases of violence, which have taken place since January," Usman said.

Shootings occurred in front of a jewelry store in Palu Selatan on Jan. 10; and at Poso's Pulau Kalimantan traffic circle on Jan. 25 and in Bugis Village, Parigi, on Feb. 28. Three people were killed in the attacks.

Despite the presence of extra security forces, none of the gunmen have been identified or apprehended.

"Bomb attacks, arsons, riots and attacks causing destruction of property, have continued there, with security personnel failing to take measures against the perpetrators," Usman said.

"Security personnel have also been involved in internal conflicts," he said, citing a recent brawl between police and soldiers which took place in front of a Poso police precinct.

"Even more confusing, local security authorities are planning to grant a general amnesty to locals. It seems that the government is trying to put the blame on Muslims and Christians but refuse to explore the possibility of the involvement of certain parties in Jakarta," Usman said.

More than 1,000 people died in sectarian violence in Poso at the height of the Christian-Muslim conflict there between 2000 and 2001.

An extra 4,000 police and soldiers were sent to restore order in Central Sulawesi in 2005 after a series of shootings and bombings in the region.