Buol king Ibrahim Turunku has opposed the National Police’s decision to send reinforcement troops to the Central Sulawesi regency to help restore order there following a clash that claimed seven lives on Tuesday.
The king said the existing security personnel from the Mobile Brigade were adequate to bring peace back to the regency.
“I think the existing Brimob officers are already enough. No need to send more troops,” he told Antara news agency on Friday.
He expressed fear the reinforcement troops would only aggravate the peace process, given the public animosity against the police. “Yesterday a new clash almost erupted as a number of police officers visited the state hospital,” he said.
King Ibrahim said peace and order had gradually been restored after he initiated a meeting with local community figures, religious leaders, and youth and NGO activists. The results of the meeting were presented to deputy National Police chief Comr. Gen. Jusuf Manggabarani, who leads a team to help restore order in Buol.
The National Police has sent 170 Brimob troops following the clash on Tuesday. The reinforcement troops reached Tolitoli regency on Friday and are on their way to Buol.
Police opened fire at hundreds of angry people who raided Biau police station on Tuesday following the death of a local motorcycle taxi driver while in the police custody on Monday.
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