Curfew imposed in North Aceh due to worsening security

LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh (JP): A curfew has been in effect in North Aceh since last Tuesday, following escalating acts of lawlessness and intimidation of local people by groups of armed civilians.

Civilian and military leaders in North Aceh have jointly urged people in the regency not to leave their homes between midnight and 4:30 a.m. except in emergencies

A joint statement was signed by North Aceh regent Tarmizi A Karim, North Aceh Legislative Council chairman Mas Tarmansyah, North Aceh Military District chief Lt. Col. Giyono, North Aceh Police chief Lt. Col. Iskandar Hasan, the chief of the North Aceh Prosecutor's Office, Mugni Hamidy, and the chairman of the North Aceh branch of the Indonesian Council of Ulema, Syamaun Risyad.

The statement was made in response to worsening security and public order in the regency, which has a population of some one million people, Antara reported on Friday.

Deteriorating security is the fault of certain groups who have intentionally created restlessness in the community through the use of guns and drugs, according to the statement.

"These groups have frequently provoked, intimidated and threatened the community," the statement said.

Based on the statement, local people who leave their homes after midnight must carry their identity cards with them, and if they travel by car or motorcycle they must have their vehicle documents.

The statement also urged the people of North Aceh to work together to help restore peace and order in the regency.

Meanwhile, shopping centers and traditional markets here were deserted on Friday as most vendors were apparently frightened by rumors that a riot would erupt on June 7, the day of the general election.

Most wholesalers and retailers substantially reduced the size and number of their transactions, Antara reported.

Prices of basic commodities have jumped by an average of between 10 percent and 20 percent in the regency.

In response to the situation, the North Aceh regent has asked traders not to raise prices because it could cause locals to become restless.

Lhokseumawe, some 274 kilometers east of the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, is the busiest industrial city in Aceh. (hhr)