Calm prevails on GAM anniversary<\/p>\n
Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post\/Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
Amid stepped-up security measures imposed by the civil emergency
\nadministration, conditions in strife-torn Nanggroe Aceh
\nDarussalam remained relatively calm on the 28th anniversary of
\nthe Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Defying an order issued by GAM leaders that the Acehnese stay
\nat home between 6 a.m. and 12 midday, people in the country's
\nwesternmost province went about their daily activities without
\ndisruption, as indicated by, among other things, the continued
\noperation of intercity buses.<\/p>\n
However, bus and minivan drivers said there had been a decline
\nin the number of passengers.<\/p>\n
In areas like Pidie, North Aceh, East Aceh and Southwest of
\nAceh, traditional markets were open and serving customers as
\nusual.<\/p>\n
The only major incident was an armed clash involving an ambush
\nby 20 fully armed GAM members on Indonesian Military (TNI)
\ntroops.<\/p>\n
Two TNI troops were wounded in the incident.<\/p>\n
GAM commander Teungku Muzakkir Manaf appealed to the Acehnese
\nto stay at home on the anniversary, citing public safety as the
\nmain reason.<\/p>\n
As usual, all activities that could be considered even
\nremotely related to the GAM anniversary were completely banned by
\nthe authorities.<\/p>\n
The civil emergency administration has also stepped up
\nsecurity measures in areas considered to be GAM strongholds in
\nTanah Jambo Aye, Matangkuli, Sawang, Langkahan and Nisam
\nsubdistricts.<\/p>\n
On the eve of the anniversary, security personnel rounded up
\n39 civilians in Bireun for questioning.<\/p>\n
Aceh police spokesman Sr. Comr. Sayed Hoesayni said that they
\nwere arrested after gathering in a hut.<\/p>\n
\"However, they were released after they showed us their ID
\ncards. They are coconut croppers who are to be sent to Banda
\nAceh, but their employer apparently forgot to tell the local
\nvillage head,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that the life appeared to go on as normal,
\nGAM said that it had observed the occasion in a fitting manner.<\/p>\n
\"Although the celebrations were less vibrant that those of
\nprevious years, we still observed it properly. In Pidie, the
\nceremony was led by regional GAM commander Sardjani Abdullah,\"
\nGAM spokesman in Pidie, Adi Laweueng, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He said that the occasion was used to swear in new officials
\nwho would fill a number of positions left vacant after a number
\nof senior GAM officials were arrested by the military.<\/p>\n
The central government has imposed a state of emergency in the
\nresource-rich province for the past one-and-a-half years to
\nsquash the secessionist movement. It has so far cost the state Rp
\n2.6 trillion (US288.9 million).<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/calm-prevails-on-gam-anniversary-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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