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