Security in Aceh generally improving, police claim<\/p>\n
By Muharram M. Nur<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Security in Aceh has generally improved
\nover the past few days although tension remains high in some
\nvillages where troops have been raiding places they suspect were
\nFree Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist hideouts, police spokesman
\nAdj. Cmr. Sad Harunantyo announced on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The national red-and-white flags fly everywhere as Indonesia
\nis bracing to celebrate its 56th anniversary on Aug. 17, on high-
\nrise buildings, along streets and in houses.<\/p>\n
Government offices have been adorned with red-and-white
\nornaments. Motorcycles and cars roam the streets with palm-sized
\nIndonesian flags waving.<\/p>\n
This sort of mood has not been common over the past two years,
\nwhen GAM flags -- the moon and star on a red background -- have
\ndominated the streets. Between 1999 and 2000, graffiti demanding
\na referendum were ubiquitous. Now, they have been largely cleaned
\nup.<\/p>\n
Traffic along the main highway between the capital of North
\nSumatra, Medan and Banda Aceh has been normal. Business
\nactivities along the highway have also returned to normal. Shops
\nare now open until 10 p.m.<\/p>\n
However, security checks at about 50 places have delayed the
\nbus journey from Medan to Banda Aceh from the normal 10 hours to
\n15 hours. Roadblocks are set up in many places along the highway
\nto force vehicles to slow down for security checks.<\/p>\n
Passengers complain that there are too many security
\ncheckpoints.<\/p>\n
\"We no longer have time to snooze on the bus during the trip,\"
\nsaid Effendi Yusuf, who had just arrived in Banda Aceh from
\nMedan.<\/p>\n
GAM leaders claim that the omnipresent red-and-white flags
\nhave been raised because of police and military pressure.<\/p>\n
\"Anyone who refuses to raise the (red-and-white) flag at their
\nresidence are subject to murder and their houses set ablaze,\"
\nsaid Sofyan Daud, the self-styled spokesman of the Free Aceh
\nSumatra's army.<\/p>\n
But Sofyan's statement was countered by Sad Harunantyo, who
\nsaid that people raised the flag on their own free will.<\/p>\n
He insisted that the people of Aceh have always longed for
\npeace in the province. He charged that GAM activists have been
\ninvolved in torching houses of local residents and the killing of
\ninnocent civilians.<\/p>\n
The number of murders remains high. On Wednesday, three people
\nwere killed in Aceh Besar alone as the army continued to crack
\ndown on rebels.<\/p>\n
Sudharsono claimed that all of those killed were GAM rebels.<\/p>\n
\"The clash broke out when a group of GAM rebels ambushed a
\njoint military and police patrol,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ayah Sofyan, GAM spokesman in Aceh Besar, claimed
\nthat the three were all civilians killed when the security
\nauthorities opened fire indiscriminately at villagers fleeing the
\nmilitary presence.<\/p>\n
Also on Wednesday, two bombs went off outside Rawa Sakti
\nSports Stadium at 5:30 p.m. while a soccer competition was in
\nprogress. Nobody was injured in the incident.<\/p>\n
Before ascending to the presidency, Megawati Soekarnoputri had
\npledged that there should be no more bloodshed in Aceh. However,
\nshe is yet to see her dream come true. Between her being elected
\nas president on July 23 and Wednesday Aug.1, 43 people had been
\nkilled in various incidents in Aceh.<\/p>\n
Official figures show that 31 of those killed were civilian
\n(whom the security authorities claim were GAM activists), nine
\nwere confirmed GAM members, two were policemen and one was a
\nsoldier.<\/p>\n
Over 1,000 people have been killed over the past seven months
\nin the restive territory.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-in-aceh-generally-improving-police-claim-1447893297",
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