95 killed in Aceh in last 24 days

JAKARTA (JP): As many as 95 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Aceh in the last 24 days despite the extension of the Humanitarian Pause between the government and the rebel Free Aceh Movement (GAM) a local rights group said.

"It means that at least three people are killed every day," Bathilimus, chief of investigation of the Aceh Forum for Human Rights Concerns (FP-HAM), said on Sunday.

According to data compiled by FP-HAM, the victims were killed between Sept. 3 and Sept. 27 in increased violence after the extension of the Humanitarian Pause, Bathilimus explained.

He said the dead comprised 68 civilians, 20 members of the Indonesian Military (TNI)/Police and seven GAM rebels.

He further claimed that his organization had noted that at least 125 people had been tortured during the same period, including 75 civilians and 50 soldiers and police officers.

"Thousands of people took refuge in the same period because of the violence," Bathilimus was quoted by Antara.

He said people who didn't feel safe in their own houses, took refuge in mosques and schools.

Bathilimus said that his non-governmental organization recorded 40 cases of kidnapping -- 39 civilians and a policeman.

There were at least 329 cases of arson, vandalism and robbery during the same period, he added.

He said 146 houses, 25 motorcycles, seven fishing boats, four cars, 20 bicycles, nine cold storage buildings, nine kiosks, a hotel and a mosque were set on fire.

On Saturday, a police bomb-squad on patrol reportedly clashed with GAM members in Limpok village, Darussalam district, Aceh Besar.

Aceh Besar Police chief Supt. Sayed Hoesainy said the GAM rebels started the battle by throwing a grenade at the police patrol, injuring one officer.

The police patrol then returned fire on the armed group, wounding one of the attackers. The man is now being treated in a local hospital, Hoesainy said.

He said the police patrol hunted their attackers and arrested 12 young men believed to be GAM members.

"They are now being questioned. They will be released if they are proved not guilty," he added.

Hoesainy said the police also found an old Japanese bomb in a van which was earlier dumped by the armed group. (jun)