Two killed as violence returns to troubled Aceh<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Violence broke the semblance of peace in Aceh
\nwhen a policeman and civilian were killed in separate incidents,
\npolice said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Provincial Police chief Brig. Gen. Bahrumsyah confirmed that
\nSgt. Khairulsyah Lubis was shot dead in Tuwi Kareung village in
\nWest Aceh on Friday.<\/p>\n
Honey trader Hasirin Ginting Baincik was found dead earlier on
\nThursday in his quiet village of Dusun Danau in South Aceh. His
\nhead was nearly severed and stab wounds were found on his chest.<\/p>\n
Bahrumsyah said Khairulsyah died instantly after he was shot
\nonce to his chest by unidentified assailants. He was not certain
\nwhether there was one attacker or more.<\/p>\n
"We're investigating the assault. But so far there has been no
\nsignificant development in our investigation," he told The
\nJakarta Post by phone.<\/p>\n
Khairulsyah said the tally of officers killed in the restive
\nprovince was 17 in the last two months.<\/p>\n
Bahrumsyah said that the revolver belonging to Khairulsyah was
\nalso missing. He suspected the weapon was taken by the attacker.<\/p>\n
Officer Khairulsyah, a father of two children, was believed to
\nhave been shot on his motorcycle after he left his home in Blang
\nRamee. His body was found two kilometers from his home.<\/p>\n
West Aceh Police chief Lt. Col. Aris Sumarman was shocked and
\nsaddened by the shooting.<\/p>\n
"Why did this happen? What have we done wrong? We are just
\nprotecting and serving the public," West Aris told the local
\ndaily Serambi Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Residents of Dusun Danau found bloodstained trousers and a
\nshirt near Hasirin's body. The trousers were inscribed with the
\nword cuak (traitor).<\/p>\n
Violence has mounted in some parts of Aceh even after the
\ngovernment lifted the military operation and gradually withdrew
\nits personnel from the area.<\/p>\n
"Whoever committed the murder has apparently tried to provoke
\nthe security personnel to use a repressive approach in its
\noperation," Bahrumsyah said.<\/p>\n
He added that his office and local military command were still
\ntrying to stop the killings and at the same time implement a
\npersuasive approach in their operation without using violence.<\/p>\n
Rally<\/p>\n
A wave of peaceful demonstrations have been held in Aceh in
\nthe past three days. Apart from their demand for a referendum,
\nthe protesters asked newly elected President Abdurrahman Wahid to
\nkeep his promise to settle the social and economic problems in
\nthe province.<\/p>\n
At least two people were killed after falling from trucks that
\ncarried them to rallies in South Aceh and East Aceh.<\/p>\n
Local leaders also called on Abdurrahman to visit the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
"Acehnese do not need empty promises any more," Tengku Nurdin
\nAmin, who is a member of the provincial legislative council from
\nPidie regency, said.<\/p>\n
"But if Abdurrahman visits here and does not meet his promise
\n(to resolve Aceh's problem), then don't bother to come," Nurdin
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Nurdin also reiterated that Jakarta must acknowledge the
\nexistence of the Free Aceh Movement's armed wing (AGAM) and
\ninvolve them in the Aceh peace talks.<\/p>\n
Munir Muhammad, the head of Aceh's chapter of the Muslim
\nStudents Association (HMI), concurred.<\/p>\n
"The Acehnese cannot wait any longer. We want to end this
\nmisery as soon as possible," Munir said. "We expect a lot from
\nPresident Abdurrahman and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri."<\/p>\n
A visit to Aceh by Abdurrahman remains unclear so far,
\nalthough the President has announced settling the troubles in the
\nprovince would be his responsibility.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, along with National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman
\nAmien Rais, last toured Aceh one month before the presidential
\nbid. Amien is now the People's Consultative Assembly speaker.<\/p>\n
Local Muslim leaders also have repeatedly stated their plan to
\nintroduce sharia (Islamic law) in the province.<\/p>\n
Both Abdurrahman and Amien said they strongly support the
\nintroduction of incorporating Islamic values and legal principles
\nin formulating policies on human rights. (51\/emf\/edt)<\/p>",
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