Acehnese people's perceptions of martial law differ

Acehnese people's perceptions of martial law differ

Nani Farida, Banda Aceh

The clock reads 11 p.m. but residents of the capital Banda Aceh
are still crisscrossing the streets. Food vendors hawk their
goods and several public transportation vehicles are operating as
midnight approaches.

"We remain open until 1 a.m.," said Rizal, 40, a cake vendor
from West Sumatra.

Rizal, who has been selling cakes in Aceh for the past 13
years, does his best business in front of the landmark
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque.

He said he was able to stay open after midnight only because
the imposition of martial law had improved security.

"Before martial law, I had to shut at 11 p.m. Moreover, other
street vendors shut early, so I just followed suit," he said.

A military operation was launched on May 19, 2003, in Aceh,
where Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels have been fighting for
independence since 1976. Martial law was declared in conjunction
with the military operation and was only lifted last week, being
replaced by a state of civil emergency.

Bus conductor Muhammad also said security in Banda Aceh was
much better than a year ago.

"That is, just over the last few months (has security
improved). Before that it was scary," he said.

Banda Aceh was previously considered a "gray area", meaning
armed groups were still thought to be operating in the city.
There were times when suspected GAM rebels would board buses,
terrifying passengers. At other times, buses would halt as rebels
and security forces exchanged gunfire.

While some residents of Banda Aceh have good things to say
about martial law, many people living on the outskirts of the
city feel just the opposite. They say they feel threatened by the
presence of security forces, whether the Indonesian Military
(TNI) or the police's Mobile Brigade.

"Whether there is martial law or not, we are still treated
roughly by security forces," said Husain (not his real name), a
resident of Aceh Besar district.

For a time, GAM rebels were reportedly based near the
outskirts of Banda Aceh. Wrongful arrests were rumored to be
common in the area because security forces could not distinguish
between residents and rebels. Many of those residents who were
arrested returned to their families with tales of abuse while in
detention.

Husain, who says he was the victim of a false arrest, claims
that he was detained at a security post in Aceh Besar for a week
before being released.
"I was returned to my family black-and-blue and they only
offered an apology," he told The Jakarta Post.

However, he said that he was fortunate to be alive. "I fear
many were not as lucky as me. They (security forces) cannot tell
the difference between GAM rebels and ordinary people."

Those living on the outskirts of Banda Aceh say the security
forces sometimes combed the area, searched their homes and beat
them if they did not answer questions to their satisfaction.

TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Soetarto acknowledged recently that
troops in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam had committed hundreds of
violations, including rape and selling ammunition to rebels.

Aceh martial law administration spokesman Col. Ditya
Soedarsono also said recently that 139 members of the armed
forces had been found guilty of various violations, including
torture, since the military operation began in the province.

Residents say they are relieved if they are beaten publicly
rather than being taken to a command post, where they believe
they are likely to receive even worse treatment.

"We just want to live in peace, but it seems so difficult,"
said Nurjannah, 45, a vegetable seller in Kuta Baro district.

After martial law was lifted and replaced by a state of civil
emergency last week, the Acehnese can only pray that peace will
return to the province as soon as possible, so that their lives
can return to normal.