Ruslan Sangadji, Palu – The Central Sulawesi Police Headquarters said on Tuesday it will tone down security measures in Poso considering the gradual improvement of conditions in the regency.

Central Sulawesi Police Chief Brig. Gen. Badrodin Hait launched an operation called Siwagilemba following the conclusion of the Lantodago operation in Poso on Dec. 31, 2007.

In his year-end report Badrodin said there were a number of basic differences in the implementation of the Siwagilemba and Lantodago operations in Poso.

He said the Siwagilemba operation would be coordinated by the Central Sulawesi Police, using funds from the provincial budget and involving at least 500 police personnel from the provincial police headquarters and Poso city police.

The now-completed Lantodago operation was coordinated by the National Police Headquarters, funded by the state budget and involved 1,200 personnel.

"They are two different things," Badrodin said. "We focus more on persuasive measures by being involved in public awareness campaigns."

He said the security operation in Poso, where religious conflicts used to erupt and were usually followed by a series of violent terror acts, was crucial.

He said this was because there were still a number persons believed to be perpetrators of recent violent attacks in Poso. These people were on the police's wanted list and were still at large. Badrodin said the suspects, identified by the initials M, Id, U, I and S, were believed to be still in Poso or overseas, including the Philippines.

A number of groups were believed to be carrying out clandestine activities to undermine the peace process in Poso and areas deemed risky following the arrest of Basri and his gang members, he said. "We deemed Gebangrejo village as still risky and that security forces must continue to conduct small-scale security operations."

He said Poso still needed assistance to totally restore conditions, especially as the government was carrying out reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts after the conflicts. Badrodin said former gang members of Basri's group must be reformed in order to stop them from carrying out destructive actions, "because they could turn into a hardline group and then be ready to engage in violence in Poso anytime".

Another pressing issue requiring police intervention, he said, was the return of people's civil rights. "We deem that returning people's civil rights, in line with the Malino peace pact, that has yet to be implemented, would become a problem. "So, we deem the Siwagilemba operation as crucial," he asserted.

In Poso, New Year's Eve was a festive occasion. Nearly every subdistrict held parties to celebrate new year, including Poso Pesisir, where a traditional event was organized to see in the new year. Fireworks displays were also held at the Maroso Square, Poso Port, Penghibur Beach, as well as in Tentena.

Poso Regent Piet Inkiriwang urged residents to unite in peace when celebrating the new year and to work together to turn Poso into a better place in 2008. "We must unite and work hand-in-hand to develop Poso into a better place in the years ahead," Inkiriwang said.