GAM violently defies ban on anniversary observance<\/p>\n
Nani Farida and Teuku Agam Muzakkir, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh\/Lhokseumawe<\/p>\n
Celebrations marking the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) anniversary
\nproceeded in the province on Thursday despite the heavy military
\npresence there to prevent the observance.<\/p>\n
Efforts to deny GAM members a chance to commemorate the self-
\nproclaimed independence by the movement's founders 27 years ago
\nleft two Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) soldiers seriously
\nwounded during an armed clash in the hilly Siron area in Aceh
\nBesar regency.<\/p>\n
The military also deployed dozens of troops equipped with
\nmortars and armored vehicles to Nissam area in North Aceh, which
\nwas once known as the base of GAM commander-in-chief Muzakkir
\nManaf.<\/p>\n
Soldiers lowered separatist flags hoisted in coconut trees in
\nthe eastern part of Sigli district in Pidie regency, one GAM flag
\nin Lhokseumawe and several others in East and South Aceh
\nregencies.<\/p>\n
Police joined the military operation to prevent the
\ncelebration and to maintain security by deploying at least 1,500
\npersonnel who patrolled suspected GAM strongholds.<\/p>\n
In several hamlets, GAM, nevertheless, tried to hoist the
\nseparatist Crescent-Star flags. At least three flags were
\nhoisted. But the military lowered the flags immediately after
\nreceiving reports from locals.<\/p>\n
Except for several gunfights between government troops and GAM
\nrebels, the situation remained calm across the province. Traders
\ncontinued their business as shops were open and public
\ntransportation was operating.<\/p>\n
In South Aceh, a firefight between the Indonesian Military and
\nGAM fighters took place, resulting in the death of Second Pvt.
\nYaser Arafat.<\/p>\n
Aceh military operation spokesman Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki
\nclaimed three GAM rebels were shot dead and four others were
\narrested during a raid in Tanah Luas subdistrict in North Aceh.<\/p>\n
In another raid in Bireum Bayeun area in East Aceh, three GAM
\nfighters were killed, while another one was killed during a raid
\nin Seunobok village, East Aceh regency.<\/p>\n
Despite the attacks, GAM claimed to have held ceremonies
\nalmost simultaneously at around 8 a.m. in separate undisclosed
\nlocations across East Aceh and Sabang.<\/p>\n
"Due to the situation, we only held a modest flag-hoisting
\nceremony," Teungku Zainal Abidin, GAM spokesman overseeing Sabang
\nand Aceh islands region, said.<\/p>\n
The celebration took place separately at three locations --
\nIdi Rayeuk, Simpang Ulim and Peureulak, with Teungku Ishak Daud
\nleading an observance in Peureulak, Teungku Mansor, GAM spokesman
\nfor East Aceh regency, said.<\/p>\n
Nearly 1,000 GAM fighters in the region took part in the
\ncelebration, Abidin said,<\/p>\n
In a release made available to The Jakarta Post, Muzakkir
\nasked all GAM members to remain on alert and maintain discipline.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the military encouraged people to fight the rebels.
\nAs of Thursday, around 7,000 members of the People's Front
\nAgainst Separatist GAM (FPSG), gathered in Bireuen regency and
\nburned GAM flags and two replicas of GAM founder Hassan Tiro who
\nis now in self exile in Sweden.<\/p>\n
The rally was an expression of the people's anger toward GAM
\nwho had brought the Acehnese to poverty, the group said in its
\nstatement.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gam-violently-defies-ban-on-anniversary-observance-1447893297",
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