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uman rights advocates are criticizing the deployment of Indonesian Military (TNI) troops to Poso, Central Sulawesi, following several terrorist attacks, describing it as a counterproductive move that might incite additional unrest.

Haris Azhar from the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) said on Thursday that the troop deployment would evoke memories of the murderous sectarian conflict that befell the regency over a decade ago.

Central Sulawesi Police officers and Army soldiers have been sweeping hamlets near Mount Biru since Wednesday, in search of the terrorists responsible for five bomb explosions and two shootings that have resulted in three deaths, including that of two police officers, and the injury of four others.

“For what reason has the government involved the Army? We are afraid that it will not only stir up trauma among residents, but it will also provide a loophole for the police to use excessive force, as has happened before,” Haris said at a press conference at Kontras headquarters in Jakarta.

Haris was referring to police raids of Tanah Runtuh, Poso, between Jan. 11 and Jan. 22, 2007.

According to Kontras, police officers assaulted and detained 25 local residents without legal justification during the raids, which also resulted in the deaths of 15 civilians and two officers.

Bonar Tigor Naipospos of the Setara Institute said that the deployment proved that the government continued to favor the same repressive tactics it used to end the violent clashes between Christian and Muslims in Poso between 1997 and 2001.

“The government should consolidate by promoting dialogue between religious figures and local leaders. This will ease residents’ fears,” he added.

The lack of a “humanistic” approach to resolve the conflict inspired musician Glen Fredly to organize a charity music concert in Jakarta, to give moral support to the residents of Poso and to raise public awareness about the security situation.

“The concert will be held in the near future. I am still contacting musicians to join the event. We are also considering visiting Poso and creating a dialogue forum for the local youth,” he told journalists.

Meanwhile, the Central Sulawesi Police have named the man they allege masterminded the recent violence as Santoso, a protege of Basri, one of the most wanted militants for his involvement in a series of terror attacks in Poso in the 1990s.

The National Police announced on Friday that they arrested two men in connection with the recent attacks: I, from Java, and AB, a Poso native. (yps)