Security forces, GAM chiefs move to reduce violence<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): As commanders from the Indonesian
\nsecurity forces and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) concluded their
\npeace talks, fresh violence hit the disputed province leaving
\neight persons dead in its wake, officials said over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Representatives of the warring sides met in Banda Aceh and
\nagreed on a five-point accord in a move to suppress violence. The
\naccord, among other things, makes provision for regular
\nconsultations between field commanders from both the security
\nforces and GAM, a joint statement said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Included in the agreement were security guarantees for aid
\nworkers in the region.<\/p>\n
"We can now see a ray of hope for the resolution of Aceh's
\nproblems. Yes, violence is still being reported but we hope that
\nit will subside soon," Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh said on
\nSaturday after the two days of discussions which ended late on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
The Geneva-based Henry Dunant Center for Humanitarian Dialogue
\nmediated in the talks, the latest move in the prolonged efforts
\nto bring peace to Aceh.<\/p>\n
Friday's talks involved on the government side Sr. Comr.
\nSuyitno, Sr. Comr. Manahan Daulay and Sr. Comr. Ridwan Karim
\nwhile three deputy operational commanders from GAM were also
\npresent, including Tengku Amri bin Abdul Wahab and Tengku Saiful
\nbin Moh. Ali, as well as two members of the monitoring team,
\nMuhammad Daim and Nasrullah Dahlawi.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, detained chief of the Aceh Referendum Information
\nCenter (SIRA) Muhammad Nazar said on Sunday that he had been
\ninformed that his trial would be moved from Medan back to Aceh.<\/p>\n
"My lawyers have received a copy of a letter issued by the
\nMinistry of Justice and Human Rights about the matter but I
\nhaven't been told the date yet," Nazar told The Jakarta Post on
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
Nazar, who has been in detention since Nov. 20 of last year,
\norganized a mass congress to demand a referendum on freedom for
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
He is being charged under Articles 154 and 155 of the
\nCriminal Code on treason, which carry a maximum sentence of seven
\nyears in jail.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the violence continued unabated in the province as
\neight people were killed, including three children, and scores of
\nothers injured on Saturday and Sunday in separate incidents in
\nthe regencies of North Aceh, Pidie, West Aceh, South Aceh and
\nBireun.<\/p>\n
In Bireun at around 10 a.m. on Sunday, a group of passing
\npolice Mobile Brigade (Brimob) troopers was the target of a bomb
\nwhich was planted at the side of the road in Blang Keude village,
\nGandapura district.<\/p>\n
Two civilians were shot dead and three others injured
\nfollowing the blast, Agusnus Husein, an eyewitness who survived
\nthe incident, said on Sunday. Agusnus is being treated at
\nGandapura community health post.<\/p>\n
In North Aceh, rebels fired on troops stationed near the
\nExxon-Oil gas installation in Serba Yaman village on Saturday,
\nkilling a 15-year-old boy named Sukirman in the process, local
\npolice chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wanto Sumardi said.<\/p>\n
"We have no choice but to attack the security forces as they
\noften conduct raids on our villages. Exxon-Oil also has to share
\nthe responsibility as they let the company compound be used as a
\nmilitary base," GAM's Abu Sofyan Daud said.<\/p>\n
In restive Pidie, which is known as a GAM stronghold, two
\nteenagers, Zikri Abubakar, 16, and Moh. Amat, 18, were found dead
\nwith gunshot wounds following an operation to locate rebels in
\nthe vicinity of Blang Lamkaca village.<\/p>\n
In West Aceh, two civilians, Arjuna, 32 and Ramli, 40, were
\nfound dead, with their bodies showing signs of severe torture,
\nwhile three soldiers were injured during a rebel attack on Gedong
\nSungai Mas village on Saturday, Adj. Sr. Comr. Her Aris Sumarman
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"Several houses were also gutted by fire during the attack,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
In South Aceh, a civilian, Syarii Abdullah, was found shot
\ndead in Batu Itam village in Tapak Tuan on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In Central and East Aceh, nine people were wounded following
\nclashes between troops and guerrillas over the weekend.
\n(50\/51\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-forces-gam-chiefs-move-to-reduce-violence-1447893297",
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