Banda Aceh quiet as GAM celebrates anniversary
Ibnu Mat Noor and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Kuala Simpang/Bireuen
Banda Aceh was largely deserted on Wednesday, with most public transport off the streets, as the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) celebrated its 26th independence anniversary.
The situation in the capital, home to about 370,000 people, was generally quiet, with many shops closed. Only a small number of people were seen at traditional markets and shopping centers.
Banda Aceh's inter-city bus terminal was also deserted Wednesday. Police personnel offered help by operating dozens of buses for the public.
Soldiers and police patrolled the outskirts of the city in trucks.
Sigli and most other towns in Pidie district and Lhokseumawe in North Aceh were also reportedly near-deserted on Wednesday morning.
GAM, which has been fighting for an independent Aceh, celebrated its 26th independence anniversary on Wednesday, despite warnings and attack threats by the Indonesian military (TNI) and police.
Government and GAM representatives are due to meet in Geneva next Monday to sign a deal to end the bloody war. International mediators from the Henry Dunant Centre say they are confident the signing will go ahead.
At least 28 GAM flags were hoisted in Aceh Besar regency Tuesday night, but security forces quickly lowered and burned them on Wednesday morning.
In Tamiang, East Aceh, GAM fighters held a flag-raising ceremony at 8 a.m. under tight security. Around one thousand GAM fighters were deployed to secure the location.
Tamiang GAM commander Tengku Syamsuddin bin Mahmud Saleh said the tight security was normal.
"Just to make sure that Dec. 4 is not a bloodshed day, but a day of commemoration of Aceh's independence. We have been commemorating that day since 1976," Syamsuddin told The Jakarta Post here.
A speech by self-exiled GAM leader Tengku Muhammad Hasan di Tiro was read out by GAM spokesman Tengku Fauzillah during the ceremony.
In his speech, Tiro urged the people of Aceh to ignore all threats from TNI and Jakarta. "We have fought this war for 26 years today. If needed, we will go on fighting until our noble goal is achieved," Tiro said.
Soon after the commemoration, a gunfight between TNI and GAM rebels broke out. There were no reports of casualties in the encounter.
GAM fighters in Bireuen regency, North Aceh, commemorated the movement's anniversary on Tuesday, apparently to avoid armed contact with TNI. Some 300 rebels in full battle gear attended the ceremony.
GAM field commander Muzakkir Manaf was conspicuously absent from the celebrations without explanations.
"Muzakkir Manaf is unable to attend (the ceremony)," said GAM spokesman Sofyan Dawood who led the ceremony.
Sofyan denied speculation that Muzakkir's absence related to the military siege at Cot Trieng, North Aceh.
Meanwhile, two explosions rocked locations in east Banda Aceh on Tuesday night causing tension among local people.
Earlier, a police Mobile Brigade barracks in Jeulingke, 4 kilometers east of Banda Aceh, was destroyed by fire. No casualties were reported.