Aceh war must not

Aceh war must not
involve the police

House of Representatives Commission I has questioned the
involvement of the police in the armed conflict in the province
of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. Permadi, one of the commission's
members, criticized the police's involvement in fighting with the
Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

I agree with Permadi. It is the responsibility of the
Indonesian Military to crush the armed separatist movement. The
police should only take part in law enforcement operations. And
since the imposition of martial law in Aceh, there have been many
law issues that need to be addressed by the police. One of these
issues is how to treat GAM members who have surrendered or been
captured.

Another important task to be shouldered by the police is
to establish security and order in areas once considered
dangerous, so that these areas can become safe places to live and
refugees can return to their homes.

RAYMON SAHETAPI
Jakarta