`I'm afraid my children in Aceh are dead'

The war in Aceh seems unavoidable now after the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) failed to reach a peaceful agreement. An estimated 30,000 Indonesian troops have been deployed to fight about 5,300 separatists. An Acehnese living in Jakarta expressed concern to The Jakarta Post about the fate of his two children who are in Aceh, while others are worrying about the civilians who will suffer from the military operation.

Ibrahim, 60, comes from Bireuen, West Aceh. He sells newspapers in Kota, Central Jakarta. The father of four lives in North Jakarta with his wife and two of his children, while his other two children live in Aceh:

Of course, I don't agree with the military operation.

I'm very worried as two of my children live there and I have received no news from them so far. I'm afraid they could be dead even though they're innocent. I don't know how to contact them and I can't go back there as it is too risky.

The military's measures are too extreme. Why should the military deploy thousands of troops to fight a lower number of separatists? It's just a waste of money. The funds could have been allocated to help empower the Acehnese so that they can lead a decent life.

I agree that the separatists should be stopped as soon as possible because they have led innocent Acehnese to live in misery for years.

For years, the government has made the wrong moves. Many local people there are crying out for food because they are impoverished. But the government has sent troops, weaponry and bullets, instead of aid.

Consequently, the Acehnese have become a wild lot, apart from the fact that they are tough and bad-tempered in nature to begin with.

I wonder why the government cannot be wiser in its vigilance to this kind of movement. Perhaps separatism is the result of a corrupt and arrogant government as is the case now.

Mahmud, 50, is an entrepreneur from Lhokseumawe. He lives in Bekasi with his wife and three children:

I am against the government's military operation. I'm sure there will be many innocent victims.

Human shields from both sides will likely be put in place.

I think most Acehnese will not let anyone hurt their pride. The locals are commonly tough and militant.

On the other hand, if they were treated better, they would act far better. So why doesn't the government try to solve the hostilities here in a decent way rather than resorting to violence?

Personally, as an Acehnese, I would prefer to be treated fairly by the government rather than to be independent. To be honest, most people don't want to separate from the country. I don't think we are ready to govern an independent country.

The government has failed to really implement the special autonomy status for Aceh as many people are in the dark about the meaning of being special.

I don't know who deserves the blame. But one thing is for sure and that is everyone in Aceh was traumatized by the merciless military operation during the New Order.

I miss my peaceful hometown. I want to go home someday to see my relatives without feeling any fear of being suspected as a rebel as is the case now.

Inong, 36, is a housewife married to a Javanese. She comes from Banda Aceh and lives in East Jakarta:

I object to the military operation.

I wonder if the government, the separatists and the peace broker gave up on trying to reach a peace deal.

I would rather see a peaceful solution being reached because violence will only make people far more miserable.

The government will have a difficult time trying to protect innocent people there during a state of war.

However, the rebel movement should be stopped because it has in fact threatened innocent lives and the nation in general.

-- Leo Wahyudi S