Bombs hit Aceh on Independence Day

Bombs hit Aceh on Independence Day

The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe/Ambon/, Jayapura

A low-explosive blast in downtown Lhokseumawe late on Sunday
evening capped the celebration of the country's 58th anniversary
in war-torn Aceh province. Five other blasts of equal size that
exploded on the same day were blamed on the separatist Free Aceh
Movement (GAM).

Aside from the blasts in Aceh, and the hoisting of separatist
flags in Ambon, Maluku, where Muslim-Christian clashes have been
rife for the last several years, Independence Day was celebrated
relatively peacefully throughout the rest of the approximately
17,000 islands in the archipelago.

Most security personnel in cities across the country were on
high alert in anticipation of any possible disturbances or
terrorist attacks.

The high alert status is to continue indefinitely until
further notice from the National Police chief.

In Aceh, a bomb exploded in the evening in front of insurance
firm PT Asuransi Berdikari. The insurance firm is located across
Hira field, where the Independence Day celebrations took place
earlier in the day.

At least seven people were injured in the blast, including two
children, who happened to be passing on the nearby sidewalk.

The military and the police, however, claimed only five were
injured in the blast, because "the two children do not count".

Police in North Aceh regency said it had arrested Rajali, 19,
who was suspected of being behind the blast.

Earlier in the day, five other low-explosive bombs exploded in
four different areas: two in Peusong, one in North Aceh's new
capital of Lhok Sukon, another in Matang Kuli district and the
last in Cot Murung village, Nisam.

The police also defused three bombs planted in separate areas
in the Geudong and Bayu districts. Bayu, 15 kilometers from
Lhokseumawe, is known as the headquarters of GAM's bomb unit.

In Ambon, Maluku, security officers lowered two separatist
flags that were raised by the South Maluku Republic (RMS) in the
villages of Kudamati and Passo, Ambon.

Local military spokesman First Lt. Ghufron said the security
officers had stumbled upon the two flags, but had not caught
those persons responsible for raising them.

"This is the action of irresponsible persons. We will find
them," said local military chief Maj. Gen. Agustadi on Sunday,
while local police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Sutrisno also vowed
to arrest the perpetrators.

Elsewhere in Ambon, particularly at Merdeka Square where some
2000 students, civil servants and observers commemorated
Independence Day, the celebrations were peaceful. Hundreds of
people also watched live entertainment at the square.

In Papua, around 2,000 members grouped in a task force under
the separatist group, the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP),
proclaimed their loyalty to the unitary state of Indonesia.
Fourteen representative members of the task force, headed by
Socrates Sayori, took part in the ceremony in Nabire regency.

The task force had stopped its activities following the murder
in November 2001 of PDP chairman Theys Hiyo Eluay.

Papuan Governor Jaap Salossa expressed his pleasure and
thanked the task force members for returning to the unitary state
of Indonesia. The national Red-and-White flags decorated the main
thoroughfare in Jayapura, and the event proceeded without
incident.

Salossa presided over the ceremony, while deputy speaker Ben
Vincen Djeharu of the local legislative council read out the
country's proclamation of independence.

In Bali, the site of three separate bombings by terrorists on
Oct. 12, 2002, Independence Day celebrations took place
peacefully.

Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Pengasihan Gaut said on Sunday
that no unusual incidents occurred on the resort island.

Security officers in Medan, North Sumatra, were on guard at
public venues across the city in anticipation of possible
terrorist attacks.

Both uniformed and plainclothes officers were deployed at
public places, including resort areas. Local intelligence
officers acknowledged that they had to work overtime following
the terrorist attack on Aug. 5 at the JW Marriott Hotel, Jakarta.

In Yogyakarta province, the security condition was reported
normal during the commemoration of Independence Day.

Chief of investigative police Sr. Comr. Toto Sunyoto said
there had been no disturbances from Saturday evening until Sunday
afternoon in any of the five regencies of the province.