Three more dead as Aceh raids intensify<\/p>\n
Ibnu Mat Noor
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nBanda Aceh<\/p>\n
At least three people were killed as military and police
\nintensified operations in Aceh ahead of a commemoration, which
\nhas caused anxiety among villagers, the military said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The heightened assaults come as security forces anticipate
\nplanned celebrations by separatists to observe their unrecognized
\nindependence which falls on Dec. 4.<\/p>\n
The three men who were shot dead on Saturday during a military
\noperation in North Kluet regency, South Aceh district, were
\nreportedly members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM),
\naccording to military operations chief Major Edi Sulistiadie.<\/p>\n
\"The Indonesian Military (TNI) has confiscated an AK-47 rifle,
\ntwo camouflaged army-style Jeeps and one radio,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The battle, involving about 270 soldiers, resulted in a shoot-
\nout lasting some 20 minutes. But GAM spokesman Abu Cut Ali could
\nnot immediately confirm that the victims were rebels, arguing
\nthat the military fired shots randomly at villagers.<\/p>\n
Civilians were worried about possible clashes between troops
\nand rebels when the security forces stepped up raids on villages,
\nbelieved to be strongholds of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
\nguerrillas.<\/p>\n
Villagers in the suburban areas of the capital Banda Aceh said
\nthey saw GAM guerrillas leaving the jungles to buy food at
\nmarkets located near tightly-guarded security posts.<\/p>\n
\"We get very anxious when armed contact occurs because it
\nusually victimizes civilians. If they become victims, nobody will
\nclaim responsibility,\" a resident, who declined to be named, told
\nThe Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"At least they (the military or police) will say the victims
\nwere killed by stray bullets,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Local military officials had said they would not allow GAM to
\nhold a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of their self-
\nproclaimed independence on Tuesday. Villagers have been warned
\nagainst attending such an event, should it happen.<\/p>\n
Lieut. Col. Firdaus Komarno, spokesman for Aceh's military
\nfield operations, said the Army and police would be sweeping
\nvillages, where GAM members would most likely celebrate their
\nindependence ceremony.<\/p>\n
He also warned journalists not to get too close to any
\nceremony on Dec. 4 in order to avoid casualties. \"We don't want
\nto see journalists or civilians becoming victims,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh called on local people on
\nSaturday night to avoid provoking clashes between separatists and
\nsecurity forces.<\/p>\n
\"If the GAM or civilians commit an action against the law, the
\nsecurity forces will act against them,\" Puteh said, while adding
\nthat drivers should continue operating their public transport
\nvehicles on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"There is no need to cease routine activities because
\ngovernment troops will protect them (civilians),\" he added.<\/p>\n
The government last week vowed to get tough with the
\nseparatists across the country.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nBambang Susilo Yudhoyono said the government will no longer
\ntolerate separatism and that a total of 50 battalions, or some
\n32,500 men, will be deployed to independence-minded areas across
\nthe archipelago including Aceh.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-more-dead-as-aceh-raids-intensify-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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