Acehnese people's perceptions of martial law differ<\/p>\n
Nani Farida, Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
The clock reads 11 p.m. but residents of the capital Banda Aceh
\nare still crisscrossing the streets. Food vendors hawk their
\ngoods and several public transportation vehicles are operating as
\nmidnight approaches.<\/p>\n
\"We remain open until 1 a.m.,\" said Rizal, 40, a cake vendor
\nfrom West Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Rizal, who has been selling cakes in Aceh for the past 13
\nyears, does his best business in front of the landmark
\nBaiturrahman Grand Mosque.<\/p>\n
He said he was able to stay open after midnight only because
\nthe imposition of martial law had improved security.<\/p>\n
\"Before martial law, I had to shut at 11 p.m. Moreover, other
\nstreet vendors shut early, so I just followed suit,\" he said.<\/p>\n
A military operation was launched on May 19, 2003, in Aceh,
\nwhere Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels have been fighting for
\nindependence since 1976. Martial law was declared in conjunction
\nwith the military operation and was only lifted last week, being
\nreplaced by a state of civil emergency.<\/p>\n
Bus conductor Muhammad also said security in Banda Aceh was
\nmuch better than a year ago.<\/p>\n
\"That is, just over the last few months (has security
\nimproved). Before that it was scary,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Banda Aceh was previously considered a \"gray area\", meaning
\narmed groups were still thought to be operating in the city.
\nThere were times when suspected GAM rebels would board buses,
\nterrifying passengers. At other times, buses would halt as rebels
\nand security forces exchanged gunfire.<\/p>\n
While some residents of Banda Aceh have good things to say
\nabout martial law, many people living on the outskirts of the
\ncity feel just the opposite. They say they feel threatened by the
\npresence of security forces, whether the Indonesian Military
\n(TNI) or the police's Mobile Brigade.<\/p>\n
\"Whether there is martial law or not, we are still treated
\nroughly by security forces,\" said Husain (not his real name), a
\nresident of Aceh Besar district.<\/p>\n
For a time, GAM rebels were reportedly based near the
\noutskirts of Banda Aceh. Wrongful arrests were rumored to be
\ncommon in the area because security forces could not distinguish
\nbetween residents and rebels. Many of those residents who were
\narrested returned to their families with tales of abuse while in
\ndetention.<\/p>\n
Husain, who says he was the victim of a false arrest, claims
\nthat he was detained at a security post in Aceh Besar for a week
\nbefore being released.
\n \"I was returned to my family black-and-blue and they only
\noffered an apology,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
However, he said that he was fortunate to be alive. \"I fear
\nmany were not as lucky as me. They (security forces) cannot tell
\nthe difference between GAM rebels and ordinary people.\"<\/p>\n
Those living on the outskirts of Banda Aceh say the security
\nforces sometimes combed the area, searched their homes and beat
\nthem if they did not answer questions to their satisfaction.<\/p>\n
TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Soetarto acknowledged recently that
\ntroops in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam had committed hundreds of
\nviolations, including rape and selling ammunition to rebels.<\/p>\n
Aceh martial law administration spokesman Col. Ditya
\nSoedarsono also said recently that 139 members of the armed
\nforces had been found guilty of various violations, including
\ntorture, since the military operation began in the province.<\/p>\n
Residents say they are relieved if they are beaten publicly
\nrather than being taken to a command post, where they believe
\nthey are likely to receive even worse treatment.<\/p>\n
\"We just want to live in peace, but it seems so difficult,\"
\nsaid Nurjannah, 45, a vegetable seller in Kuta Baro district.<\/p>\n
After martial law was lifted and replaced by a state of civil
\nemergency last week, the Acehnese can only pray that peace will
\nreturn to the province as soon as possible, so that their lives
\ncan return to normal.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/acehnese-peoples-perceptions-of-martial-law-differ-1447893297",
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