Govt to set up team to probe Aceh massacre<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government will set up a team to investigate
\nthe recent killing of dozens of civilians in East Aceh following
\nthe separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM)'s accusation that the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI), along with the National Police, were
\nbehind the incident.<\/p>\n
\"We have discussed the matter this morning and received a
\nreport on the preliminary investigation conducted by the Aceh
\nPolice on what exactly happened in Idi Rayeuk district on Aug.
\n9,\" Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Based on the report, the killings were committed by GAM
\nitself, he said.<\/p>\n
\"We, however, still need further investigation to clarify the
\nincident as GAM has denied it is responsible for the killing. GAM
\nhad actually accused the TNI and the National Police of being
\nbehind the killings,\" Susilo said.<\/p>\n
A secret report received by Susilo said that as many as 20
\npeople, not 30 as reported earlier, were shot dead on Thursday by
\nunknown gunmen at an oil palm plantation owned by PT Bumi Flora
\nin Idi Rayeuk district, some 80 kilometers south of Langsa, the
\ncapital of East Aceh regency.<\/p>\n
The report said the victims were employees of PT Bumi Flora
\nwho reportedly had often been disturbed by the separatist rebels.
\nThe employees had frequently been forced by GAM members to pay
\nprotection money to the movement, Susilo said quoting the report.<\/p>\n
According to the report, the massacre occurred after the
\nguerrillas had tried to force the workers to stage a strike
\nagainst the company. When the workers refused, the angry
\ninsurgents then told them to stand in line and shot them one by
\none.<\/p>\n
The report also said that the gunmen -- believed to be well-
\ntrained military personnel -- were wearing striped camouflage
\nuniforms resembling those belonging to Malaysian military.<\/p>\n
GAM had earlier denied responsibility for the killing and
\ncalled for the establishment of an independent team to probe the
\ncase before taking it to an international tribunal should the
\ninvestigation find evidence of the involvement of the TNI and
\npolice in the bloodshed.<\/p>\n
Susilo, however, questioned GAM's accusations which he said
\nwere \"too quick\".<\/p>\n
\"We have yet to start a complete investigation into the case,
\nbut they have already launched a war of opinions. In fact, we are
\nnot only dealing with the case so as to attract international
\nattention, but we must also provide strong evidence on who
\nexactly perpetrated the killing,\" he argued.<\/p>\n
\"Rather than continuing this argument, let me act
\nprofessionally in probing this case,\" Susilo said. (tso)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-set-up-team-to-probe-aceh-massacre-1447893297",
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