C. Aceh roads opened amid 'jihad'

C. Aceh roads opened amid 'jihad'

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

Despite allegations infamous pro-Jakarta militia Laskar Jihad are
waging a "holy war" against pro-independence forces in Central
Aceh, public transportation services resumed on Monday to ease
the regency's isolation.

With the help of heavily armed Indonesian security forces, a
number of buses and trucks traveled in and out of the regency's
capital of Takengon, carrying passengers and commodities to
markets in Banda Aceh, the capital of the war-torn province, and
strategically important Lhokseumawe in North Aceh.

The Joint Security Committee (JSC) monitoring a shaky truce
between the TNI and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists were
forced to abandon their presence in Central Aceh after their
office was attacked by a pro-Jakarta mob, including members of
Laskar Jihad, on March 3.

Two JSC staff were injured in the attack, blamed on the JSC's
inability to halt extortion and violence committed by GAM.

On March 15, four people were killed and 11 cars and buses set
on fire in Burlintang district. The attacks were blamed on the
militia, who some believe are linked to the TNI, and are said to
be responsible for religious violence throughout Indonesia.

Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Eddy Fernandy, speaking in
Banda Aceh, said Central Aceh's isolation had already been eased
following the deployment of TNI and police personnel to the
regency to enhance security along the highway linking Takengon
and Banda Aceh.

"With the deployment of security personnel, the road
connecting the two towns is expected to be safe for the passage
of people and goods."

He said about 600 military personnel were in the regency
helping hundreds of armed police restore security.

Raihan, a Banda Aceh resident who has just returned from
Takengon, concurred but said many people in rural areas in the
regency were living in fear of the militia, who claimed to be
waging jihad against fellow Muslims GAM in the province.

"Many people are still reluctant to leave their villages
because of the absence of security personnel. But the situation
in Takengon itself has returned to normal and there are no more
mass demonstrations like we have seen in the last two weeks."

Raihan called on authorities to improve security, particularly
in rural areas and roads to ensure safe passage in and out of the
area.

About 30 people who had fled their villages were seeking
refuge in a mosque in Takengon following intimidation by the
militiamen who say GAM are behind the violence. Internally
displaced people are now thought to number at least 500.

Burhan, not his real name, said he sought refuge after
militiamen asked him to hand over his younger brother, a member
of GAM, to the TNI.

"The militiamen, who call themselves members of Laskar Jihad,
have terrorized villagers not to support GAM because besides
fighting for Aceh's separation from Indonesia, they still extort
the people," he said.