GAM rebels vow to step up activities

GAM rebels vow to step up activities

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels pledged
to step up their activities in the province and called on the
civilians only to use public transportation as personal vehicles
would be a target for ambushes.

GAM commander Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie warned locals only to
use public transportation instead of private or military vehicles
for their activities so as to differ between civilians and
security personnel.

"This call was based on reaction to the fact that security
forces have launched massive sweeping operations in Aceh,"
Abdullah said.

"We do not want to sacrifice civilians in our operations,"
Abdullah said, adding that GAM would continue to make retaliatory
attacks against security personnel for their alleged atrocities
in Aceh.

Separately, Lilawangsa Military chief Col. Syafnil Armen said
people were free to move about as they wished and should not be
deterred by threats from rebels.

"Such a threat is a manifestation of human rights violations
and need not be followed," Syafnil said in a media statement.

There have been almost daily reports of personal and official
vehicles being ambushed or hijacked in recent weeks.

Military and police personnel regularly recover the vehicles
after conducting massive security sweeps in the area.

The province has been restive for several months as calls for
independence have grown.

GAM has launched almost daily ambushes and raids against
security personnel stationed in Aceh.

The military has been the primary target of such attacks as
they are perceived to be responsible for the numerous human
rights violations during the decade-long military operations
imposed in the province.

Fear

As of Tuesday, intensive security sweeps continued to be
conducted by police and military officers in Pidie, South Aceh,
West Aceh, North Aceh as well as the capital of Banda Aceh.

Residents seem to be heeding the rebel warnings and prefer to
use public transportation for fear of possible attacks or raids.

Other than public vans and buses, very few personal vehicles
were seen traveling along the main highways of Banda Aceh-Medan
and Banda Aceh-Tapak Tuan.

Few motorists passed the Banda Aceh-Sigli route on Tuesday.
"We do not want to take any risks," said one local.

Meanwhile, Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Bachrumsyah expressed
regret on Tuesday over Sunday's incident in Lhoksukon, North Aceh
in which three journalists from the private television station
RCTI, APTN and Reuters were assaulted by police officers and
had their cameras confiscated.

The journalists reportedly were about to take pictures of a
fire during Sunday's armed rebel attack on a police post in
Lhoksukon when a group of officers harshly intervened.

"We told them we were journalists but they kept treating us
harshly," RCTI's Umar H.N. recounted on Monday.

Aceh Police spokesman Lt. Col. Sayed Husaini promised to
investigate the incident.

"We will settle the matter properly."

Violence, however, continued to occur in West Aceh as four
unidentified bodies were reportedly found in the Kuala district
on Friday. The bodies were taken to Meulaboh Hospital.

"The remains of the four who died of gunshot wounds were
claimed by their families on Sunday," Meulaboh Hospital's
director Teuku Amir said. (50/edt)