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)