Bomb blast, gunfight add to fears in Aceh<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): A gunfight in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh,
\nand an explosion in Banda Aceh further shook the province on
\nWednesday evening.<\/p>\n
No fatalities were reported in the incidents as a campaign of
\nterror believed to be the work of armed rebels continued, a
\npolice officer said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The deputy chief of operations with the Banda Aceh Police,
\nSupt. Y. Suyatmo, said a homemade bomb exploded at an office
\ncomplex on Jl. Malahayati in Kampung Mulia village. The complex
\nis home to the local offices of the Environmental Impact
\nManagement Agency and the National Land Agency.<\/p>\n
The blast damaged the office complex's front gate and
\nshattered three windows of a building in the complex, he said.<\/p>\n
A security officer at the scene said the explosion could be
\nheard within a radius of seven kilometers.<\/p>\n
In North Aceh regency, a three-hour gunfight and an explosion
\noccurred some 274 kilometers from the regency capital of
\nLhokseumawe on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n
The gunfight paralyzed daily activities in the area as local
\nresidents stayed in their homes.<\/p>\n
In a related development, the separatist Free Aceh Movement
\n(GAM) released on Wednesday evening 16-year-old Sayed Ikram, the
\nson of Aceh Besar Police chief Supt. Sayed Hoesainy. He had been
\nmissing for two weeks.<\/p>\n
Rebel spokesman Tengku Amni bin Marzuki said Ikram was handed
\nover to GAM by residents for his alleged role in drug
\ntrafficking.<\/p>\n
Ikram said that during his 11-day detention at GAM
\nheadquarters, located some 60 kilometers east of Banda Aceh, he
\ntook part in the group's disciplinary program, which included
\nreligious teaching and counseling to avoid becoming involved in
\ndrug-related activities.<\/p>\n
During his release, Ikram, said he was treated well and fed
\nproperly by his captors.<\/p>\n
Ikram hugged Aceh Besar GAM commander Abu Tazurra before
\nbidding farewell to the movement members.<\/p>\n
His father, Sayed, expressed his gratitude to representatives
\nfrom the GAM Joint Action for Humanitarianism, the GAM Aceh Ulema
\nCouncil and the Henry Dunant Center for ensuring his son's smooth
\nrelease.<\/p>\n
The release of Ikram led to a palpable sense of relief among
\nresidents, shaken by the continuing violence in the province.<\/p>\n
Separately, Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Doddy Sumatyawan
\nhinted that the release might indicate an opportunity to resolve
\nthe conflict between GAM and the authorities through peaceful
\ndialog, Antara news agency reported on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
A similar statement was made by the head of the Indonesian
\nUlema Council, Imam Suja. He said the release could be
\ninterpreted as a sign GAM was opening up the opportunity for
\ntalks aimed at intensifying peaceful efforts to end the violence
\nin the province. (lup\/50)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bomb-blast-gunfight-add-to-fears-in-aceh-1447893297",
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