52 die, five missing in recent Aceh violence
JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-one more people killed in the military's July 23 operation against separatists in Beutong Ateuh, West Aceh, were found on Wednesday and Thursday, raising the death toll to 52.
Antara news agency reported from Banda Aceh on Friday that the bodies were found in ravines seven kilometers from where the incident took place. The bodies were discovered by a team of journalists and rights activists.
Witnesses said most of the 21 people had been injured in the military operation. They said the victims were to be taken to a general hospital in Takengon, Central Aceh, aboard two military trucks, but were instead dumped into the ravines.
The deceased had serious injuries to their heads and necks.
The identities of the 21 have been established, and 17 of them were Beutong Ateuh residents. They were buried at the site in an Islamic ceremony.
Present at the burial were relatives, community leaders and authorities.
Among the deceased were Tgk. Bantaqiyah, 50, an alleged separatist leader who was the target of the military operation; M. Harun, 18; Jubir, 25; Usman, 29; M. Amin, 32; M. Din, 45; Tarmizi, 32; M. Husen, 42; M. Samin, 28; Syamsuar, 36; Jamalui AD, 29; and Suhaimi, 35.
Still reported as missing following the incident are Tengku M. Din, 41; M. Janata, 28; M. Ali. B, 35; Abdul Wahid, 26; and Saidi, 38.
The other 31 victims were buried by security personnel in Beutong Ateuh. The bodies were later unearthed by residents and given a proper burial.
Survivors said the bloodshed occurred when dozens of security personnel approached an Islamic boarding school directed by Tengku Bantaqiyah. They said security personnel ordered Bantaqiyah to come out of the school and then shot him. He died on the spot.
The students were then ordered out of the school while security personnel fired at them, according to witnesses.
Teuku Umar Military District Commander Col. Syarifuddin Tippe has said security personnel opened fire in self-defense.
Team
Meanwhile, President B.J. Habibie on Friday issued a presidential decree establishing an independent team to investigate rights violations in the province.
The team will not operate under the previously planned time limit, which would have prevented it from investigating abuses committed during the decade-long military operation which ended last year.
Twenty-seven people were appointed to the team, including retired police officer Koesparmono Irsan of the National Commission on Human Rights and Acehnese activist Farida Hariyani, the recipient of the 1998 Yap Thiam Hien human rights award.
Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi said the team was expected to finish its investigation and submit a report to the government within six months.
"They are experienced in investigating riots," Muladi said.
Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto previously said the commission would only investigate rights abuses which had allegedly occurred in Aceh since Habibie replaced Soeharto as president last May.
The National Commission on Human Rights said it would not participate on the team if it was prevented from investigating alleged abuses during the 10-year military operation. (rms/prb)