Fresh violence in Aceh leaves six people dead

BANDA Aceh, Aceh (JP): At least six people were killed in a series of renewed violence in the disputed province of Aceh at the weekend, police and residents said.

Gunfires were also heard early hours Sunday close to Point A area of a vast natural gas field in Lhoksukon district of North Aceh, forcing hundreds of locals to flee to nearby mosques amid fear of possible conflicts between rebels of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and security forces.

The gunfires reportedly had began around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, a local said on Sunday.

The gas field at Lhoksukon has been closed for the past month, after U.S. energy giant Exxon-Mobil suspended operations due to escalating violence in the area.

In the latest outbreak of violence, a policeman was killed and three others were injured after a truck carrying them was ambushed by separatist rebels in Pulo Awe village of Peusangan district on Saturday evening, North Aceh Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Wanto Sumardi said.

"Brig. Nyoman Mahadrianata, the driver of the police truck, was burned to death as rebels fired mortar at them," Wanto said.

Three other officers, including the Peusangan Police chief Second Insp. Sukirmanto were injured the attack.

The truck, which had left Lhokseumawe capital of North Aceh, overturned after it passed over a landmine trap and was hit by a mortar, officer Wanto said on Sunday.

GAM spokesman in Bireun, Abu Zarkata claimed that his camp is responsible for the attack.

On Sunday, a male body identified as Madia, 33, was found with gunshot wound in front of the Samatiga Police subprecinct in West Aceh following an overnight rebel attack at the police's post, West Aceh Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Her Aris Sumarman said.

"The man was one of the attackers and probably killed during the gunfight," the officer said on Sunday.

Also in North Aceh, a man named Syaiful Yusuf was killed after a sweeping operation conducted by security forces in Muara Batu on Saturday.

In Idi district of East Aceh two people were shot dead in two separate frays on Saturday. They were identified as Irsandi Husin, 13, and a former military member named Yusarimin Yusarbani.

East Aceh Police chief Abdullah Hayati said the two fatalities were shot by rebels.

In West Aceh, the body of a man named Yusnandar was found with gunshot wound at Suak Puntong village in Kuala district on Saturday, an Indonesian Red Cross activist said.

Jakarta announced on Thursday that President Abdurrahman Wahid had issued a decree ordering security forces to restore order in Aceh and launch crackdown against GAM rebels.

The government and the rebels have agreed on a series of shaky truces in Aceh which so far failed to stop the violence that have claimed more than 300 lives this year. (edt/50)