Calm prevails on GAM anniversary
Calm prevails on GAM anniversary
Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh
Amid stepped-up security measures imposed by the civil emergency
administration, conditions in strife-torn Nanggroe Aceh
Darussalam remained relatively calm on the 28th anniversary of
the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Saturday.
Defying an order issued by GAM leaders that the Acehnese stay
at home between 6 a.m. and 12 midday, people in the country's
westernmost province went about their daily activities without
disruption, as indicated by, among other things, the continued
operation of intercity buses.
However, bus and minivan drivers said there had been a decline
in the number of passengers.
In areas like Pidie, North Aceh, East Aceh and Southwest of
Aceh, traditional markets were open and serving customers as
usual.
The only major incident was an armed clash involving an ambush
by 20 fully armed GAM members on Indonesian Military (TNI)
troops.
Two TNI troops were wounded in the incident.
GAM commander Teungku Muzakkir Manaf appealed to the Acehnese
to stay at home on the anniversary, citing public safety as the
main reason.
As usual, all activities that could be considered even
remotely related to the GAM anniversary were completely banned by
the authorities.
The civil emergency administration has also stepped up
security measures in areas considered to be GAM strongholds in
Tanah Jambo Aye, Matangkuli, Sawang, Langkahan and Nisam
subdistricts.
On the eve of the anniversary, security personnel rounded up
39 civilians in Bireun for questioning.
Aceh police spokesman Sr. Comr. Sayed Hoesayni said that they
were arrested after gathering in a hut.
"However, they were released after they showed us their ID
cards. They are coconut croppers who are to be sent to Banda
Aceh, but their employer apparently forgot to tell the local
village head," he said.
Despite the fact that the life appeared to go on as normal,
GAM said that it had observed the occasion in a fitting manner.
"Although the celebrations were less vibrant that those of
previous years, we still observed it properly. In Pidie, the
ceremony was led by regional GAM commander Sardjani Abdullah,"
GAM spokesman in Pidie, Adi Laweueng, told The Jakarta Post.
He said that the occasion was used to swear in new officials
who would fill a number of positions left vacant after a number
of senior GAM officials were arrested by the military.
The central government has imposed a state of emergency in the
resource-rich province for the past one-and-a-half years to
squash the secessionist movement. It has so far cost the state Rp
2.6 trillion (US288.9 million).