Aceh grows calmer

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The restive province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam has been calmer recently, with both rural and urban people more active in carrying out their daily tasks.

"In general the situation is getting better. Roadside vendors in town have returned to their businesses, farmers and fishermen have returned to their routines while urban transportation services have also resumed operations," spokesman of the Military/Police faction at the provincial legislature said here on Thursday.

"The most significant thing is that schools are now open. Students can go back to school peacefully, thanks to the implementation of Presidential Instruction No. 4/2001," he said.

The Presidential Instruction, signed by then president Abdurrahman Wahid, encourages law enforcement and dialogue to settle the lingering unrest in the province.

Independent reports have said, however, that killings are continuing in Aceh. --Antara