Violence escalates in Aceh, 11 found dead<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Violence has again escalated in Aceh
\nwith at least 11 people being killed in various incidents on
\nWednesday, while talks continue between government
\nrepresentatives and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist
\nrebels regarding security arrangements.<\/p>\n
The closed-door meeting took place at Kuala Tripa Hotel here
\ndiscussing details about the security arrangements.<\/p>\n
\"Some of the breakthroughs include field commanders from both
\nsides being linked by mobile satellite telephone hotlines, the
\nintroduction of a special joint force uniform and a planned joint
\noperation between security forces and GAM to expel third parties
\ndisrupting the Aceh situation,\" said Oemardi, director of public
\ninformation for the humanitarian pause in Aceh.<\/p>\n
He further said that the closed-door meeting will probably be
\ncompleted on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The meeting was attended for the first time by two Indonesian
\nArmy representatives, Lt. Col. Ayardi, Teuku Umar Military chief
\nof staff, and Lt. Col. Iskandar, Lilawangsa Military chief of
\nstaff.<\/p>\n
Also present were government representatives Sr. Comr. Manahan
\nDaulay and Sr. Comr. Ridwan Karim, while three deputy operational
\ncommanders from GAM, including Tengku Amri bin Abdul Wahab and
\nTengku Saiful bin Moh. Ali.<\/p>\n
Two members of the monitoring team were also present.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, incidents were reported in East Aceh, Aceh Besar
\nand South Aceh.<\/p>\n
Five bodies were found in the town of Langsa, East Aceh, one
\nin Birem Bayeun district and one more was evacuated from
\nPeurelak, also in East Aceh, on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Among the seven fatalities was human rights activist Effendi
\nMalikon, 40, deputy chief of the Human Rights Care Forum (FP-HAM)
\nin the Simpang Ulin district of East Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"His body was found near a market in Langsa town riddled with
\ngunshot wounds,\" said FP-HAM East Aceh chief M. Yusuf Puteh.<\/p>\n
The other six victims were all between 20 and 40 years of age.
\nFive were identified as Abubakar, Alfian, Idris, Yunus and
\nJubaili, while the remaining victim was unidentified.<\/p>\n
Chief of Langsa General Hospital Azwan Halim Lubis said that
\nthe victims suffered gunshot wounds and lacerations to their
\nbodies.<\/p>\n
\"All victims are estimated to have died some time since last
\nnight (Tuesday),\" Lubis said.<\/p>\n
Yusuf Puteh said that in recent weeks he has received threats
\nfrom anonymous callers saying that \"members of FP-HAM will be
\nmurdered if they continue to record residents' reports on
\nviolence in Aceh\".<\/p>\n
\"Even though the calls have been made several times, we are
\nnot afraid and we will continue with our mission,\" Yusuf said.<\/p>\n
The police, however, claim that only two alleged rebels were
\nkilled on Tuesday and Wednesday. Adj. Sr. Comr. Yatim Suyatmo
\nsaid that Suwardi Hasyim, 37, was shot dead in Langsa on Tuesday,
\nwhile another man named Mahdi, 35, was killed during a raid at
\nhis house on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Tension also rose in Langsa as troops increased security
\npatrols in the area.<\/p>\n
In Aceh Besar, a GAM rebel named Rusli Yusuf was arrested in a
\npolice raid at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday in Lampo neuheun
\nvillage. During the raid police seized a rifle, revolver,
\nmilitary-style uniforms and several bullets for FN and M-16
\nweapons.<\/p>\n
Two other bodies were also found in Aceh Besar on Wednesday
\nmorning.<\/p>\n
The body of Ashari, a high school student, was found with
\nsevere cut wounds in Darul Imarah district, while another
\nunidentified body was unearthed from a field in Kampung Jawa
\nvillage, local police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sayed Husaini said.<\/p>\n
\"The unidentified body had already started to decompose. Dogs
\nuncovered the grave and bit the body's thumb before locals found
\nit,\" the officer said.<\/p>\n
It was also reported on Wednesday that the Lilawangsa Military
\nCommand Intelligence Section chief, identified only as Maj. JP,
\nwas named a suspect in the murder of three RATA humanitarian
\nactivists on Dec. 6 last year in North Aceh.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, the House of Representatives (DPR) established on
\nWednesday a special committee to consider a bill for special
\nautonomy in Aceh titled \"Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam\".<\/p>\n
Earlier on Tuesday, Coordinating Minister for Political,
\nSocial and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the
\ngovernment would conduct a limited military operation early in
\nMarch so that the strict measures planned against separatist
\nactivities will be accurate and civilians will not be hurt.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S.
\nsaid that security disturbances in Aceh cannot be handled by the
\npolice alone.<\/p>\n
\"Strict action against armed separatist activities must be
\nconducted through military operations,\" Widodo told a hearing
\nwith the House special committee on national unity. (edt\/02\/50)<\/p>",
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