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