REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALU -- Indonesia's human rights NGO Kontras hopes that the ongoing military exercise in Poso does not disturb the local community.

A spokesman for the Sulawesi chapter of Kontras, Nasrum, said in a statement here on Tuesday that the NGO was worried about the presence of a large number of military personnel in Poso because it could alarm the local community.

"Once again, we would like to remind the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) that it still has responsibilities towards human rights settlements related to the conflicts in Poso in 2001," the activist stated.

He also believes that the involvement of the TNI in the efforts to fight terrorism in Poso was not necessary yet.

"(The nation should consider) whether the situation in Poso affected the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), or only the order and security in the community," he added.

Nasrum pointed out that the police could tackle the terrorist acts allegedly carried out by the eastern Indonesian mujahidin.

The involvement of the TNI should not take over the duties and tasks of the police, he remarked.

Furthermore, Nasrum claimed that the act of villagers residing in the location of the military exercise seeking refuge in safer places has caused social uncertainty.

"The public is panic stricken because they had to be evacuated as the implementation of the military exercise was not clear enough," he explained.

Earlier, the commander of the 132/Tadulako military region, Colonel Inf. Ilyas Harahap, said that the evacuation of local villagers was necessary to ensure their safety because the military personnel will use live ammunition during the training.

"The battle exercise is not being carried out to look for terrorists," the colonel affirmed.

In addition, TNI Commander General Moeldoko had noted earlier that the exercise was not a military operation.

Moeldoko said that it was being carried out in Poso district, which has potential for security threats, so that TNI personnel can familiarize themselves with the area in case they are deployed for a security operation there in the future.

"One day, if they need to carry out an operation there, the officers will have a clear idea about the climate, fields and enemies," the general stated.

He added that the military exercise was routinely carried out annually in selected places.

The week-long battle exercise starting April 1 has 3,200 army, naval and air force personnel, grouped together in the Quick Reaction Strike Force (PPRC), participating in it.

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