Acehnese gear up for mass gathering

Acehnese gear up for mass gathering

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): With the Acehnese mass gathering
approaching, more people are heading to the capital of Banda
Aceh, leaving many areas in the strife-torn province paralyzed
and unguarded, residents said on Tuesday.

"Banda Aceh is getting busier as thousands of people from
across the province have arrived and many more are coming in to
join the gathering," said Muhammad Harun, a leading figure from
Laweung village, Pidie regency in Banda Aceh's Lambada seaport,
some 10 kilometers east of here.

Another resident said some 1,500 Laweung residents arrived on
Monday in eight motorboats as the roads were heavily guarded by
security personnel. Security personnel are stopping people and
public transportation from entering the capital.

"Security personnel were seen on the streets, forcing people
to return home," the resident, who refused to be named, said.

Tension rose on Tuesday as hundreds of police personnel fired
warning shots to disperse some 100 visiting boats carrying
thousands of residents from across the province as they attempted
to dock at the Lampulo fishing port on Krueng Aceh river, Banda
Aceh.

The residents had earlier ignored orders from the police, who
were overseeing the Krueng Aceh river area, not to pass across
the river into Banda Aceh. They later decided to remain in their
boats as police reinforcements had blockaded the river port.

The warning shots panicked shoppers at nearby Peunayong
market, forcing traders to close their shops early.

The mass gathering, organized by the Information Center for
Aceh Referendum (CIRA), is slated to be held on Nov. 11 at the
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh to commemorate the first
anniversary of the call for a referendum and to foster unity and
brotherhood among the Acehnese. Last year's event was attended by
at least one million people.

While calling on Acehnese to join the event, CIRA chairman
Muhammad Nazar vowed on Tuesday that the gathering would be a
peaceful one and attendees were not allowed to carry weapons.

Market places in Banda Aceh were thronged with shoppers,
anticipating businesses to close before the event.

Residents said enthusiasm to attend the gathering had
paralyzed activities in their hometowns, especially as no public
transportation was operating, following an order issued by
security authorities to cease public transportation services for
a few days.

Separately, Aceh Police special operation Cinta Meunasah
spokesman Sr. Supt. Kusbini Imbar said on Monday that the police
have learned that the people were forced to attend the gathering.

"It's better for them to return home and resume their daily
activities," he said, stressing that the police had no special
security plans but they would remain alert.

bisa potong

Meanwhile, violence in Aceh broke out in two locations on
Monday, leaving a resident dead and injuring four security
personnel.

North Aceh Police precinct chief Supt. Abadan Bangko said on
Tuesday that the four personnel were shot when 40 alleged members
of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) ambushed two patrolling trucks of
security personnel in Bugeng village, Peudada district, Bireuen
regency on Monday.

The men, armed with AK-47 and M-16 rifles, initiated the
attack before they disappeared into the forest.

Abadan said a few hours later, a group of civilians, armed
with a grenade launcher, attacked the Samalanga Military
Subdistrict Command in Bireuen regency. No fatalities were
reported as the grenade missed the target and exploded some six
meters away from the military headquarters.

Kusbini said on Tuesday that security personnel had raided an
empty GAM headquarters in Sarang Jaya village, Hilir district,
East Aceh regency. The police found and seized one Ruger semi
automatic rifle, 88 bullets, a magazine (for holding bullet
cartridges) and a handy-talky.

Meanwhile, Aceh Besar precinct chief Supt. Sayed Hoesainy said
a resident of Darussalam village in Banda Aceh, named Sudaryanto,
was killed by two thugs at his store in Gue Gajah village, Daruh
Imarah district on Monday. The motive is unknown. (50/lup)