Militias mobilized to 'safeguard' Aceh

Militias mobilized to 'safeguard' Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Aceh provincial police will mobilize
thousands members of a civilian paramilitary group calling
themselves the Aceh Separatist Resistance Front to stand guard at
all the polling stations in the province. The government-
sponsored militia group will assist some 13,000 police officers,
who will also be deployed during the April 5 election.

"We will mobilize them to deter the separatist Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) from foiling the upcoming election," said chief of
Aceh police Insp. Gen. Bahrumsyah Kaman.

There are thousands of front members in Aceh province. They
were recruited last year from every subdistrict in Aceh when the
Indonesian military (TNI) began massive military operations in
the troubled province. Each subdistrict contributes at least 20
members each. They are reportedly armed with crude weapons, such
as machetes and spears.

Some claimed that they joined after being victimized by GAM,
and others said that they joined for security reasons.

"They will guard their subdistricts themselves, so that when
local residents go vote, GAM members will not to disrupt
anything," said Bahrumsyah.

According to the martial law authorities, 22 members of the
front have been abducted by GAM recently. -- JP