GAM blames govt troops in torching of 80 shops in North Aceh<\/p>\n
Nani Farida and Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
Dozens of people were injured and more than 80 shophouses burned
\nin the latest outbreak of violence in Aceh.<\/p>\n
The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) spokesman for the Pasee region,
\nTeungku Jamaika, said government security forces, particularly
\nthe elite Mobile Brigade (Brimob) police unit, were responsible.<\/p>\n
During the attack by unidentified gunmen in Keude Seuneddon,
\nNorth Aceh regency, 80 kilometers north of Lhokseumawe, the house
\nof a religious teacher and a Koran recital center were among the
\n83 shophouses destroyed.<\/p>\n
Dozens of victims were taken to hospital for emergency
\ntreatment.<\/p>\n
Aceh police deputy chief Taufik S. refuted GAM's accusation.<\/p>\n
\"I assure you that the police did not burn the shops. A
\ncertain group did it to discredit police,\" Taufik told The
\nJakarta Post Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The attack took place days after two Brimob officers -- second
\nbrigadiers Warsito and Yudhi Purba -- were shot dead by GAM
\nseparatists at a sidewalk shop in Keude Seuneddon, North Aceh.<\/p>\n
Jamaika said police investigating the killings had raided
\nthree areas, namely Simpang Jalan Seuneddon, Ulee Titi, and Lhok
\nRambiden, but they did not find the attackers.<\/p>\n
\"Hundreds of people fled to safety because the police
\nmistreated them and started burning the buildings after failing
\nto find the gunmen. They even took 30 bicycles parked near the
\nshops,\" Jamaika said.<\/p>\n
Jamaika admitted that GAM were responsible for Saturday's
\nshooting but said the police were shot because they looked like
\nrobbers.<\/p>\n
\"The policemen did not wear uniforms but were carrying guns so
\nwe must protect the people,\" he said, adding the gunmen used
\nweapons manufactured by Bandung-based weapons manufacturer PT
\nPindad.<\/p>\n
Warsito and Yudhi Purba were eating lunch at a coffee shop
\nnear Seuneddon market, 300 kilometers east of Banda Aceh when two
\nGAM gunmen riding motorcycles shot the pair in the chest.<\/p>\n
Warsito died at the scene while Yudhi, who attempted to get
\nhelp from the nearest security post, bled to death. The gunmen
\nalso took Warsito's weapon.<\/p>\n
Within five minutes, dozens of police had arrived. The
\ndeceased, both from South Sumatra, were taken to the Lilawangsa
\nmilitary hospital in Lhokseumawe while the search for the
\nattackers was launched.<\/p>\n
Taufik denied GAM's accusation that police burned down the
\nshops as revenge for the death of their colleagues.<\/p>\n
GAM has been fighting for independence from Jakarta since
\n1976. About 12,000 people, most civilians, have died.<\/p>\n
This year alone, 800 people have been killed in the increasing
\nviolence.<\/p>",
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