Police gear up for Aceh congress, trial
Police gear up for Aceh congress, trial
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Security authorities are gearing up for
the Aceh People's Congress (KRA) and the joint civilian-military
tribunal here this month, despite rejection from certain parties
to their presence.
Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Bachrumsyah Kasman said that
taking precautions are necessary as there have been frequent
outbreaks of violence in the relatively calm Banda Aceh, as well
as neighboring Aceh Besar regency, in anticipation of the week-
long congress slated to begin April 22.
Police are also prepared to maintain peace and order during
the join military-civilian tribunal on April 17, he said.
"There are four groups which belonging to what we call the
unidentified armed-rioters gang (GBPK). They are made up of Free
Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels, ex-cons, provocateurs and
officers who have deserted from either the Indonesian military
(TNI) or the police force.
"They are the ones who changed Aceh into this mess. They
instigate riots everywhere. It's a shame that Acehnese have been
kicked around by these criminals," Bachrumsyah said after a
meeting with local legislators to discuss the province's security
on Friday.
Bachrumsyah said the security forces had no choice but to
secure the two important events, which many felt could help forge
peace in the strife-torn province.
"We cannot afford the possibility of those gangs disrupting
the people's efforts," he said.
Teuku Umar Military chief Col. Syarifuddin Tippe also vowed to
provide security, whether it is asked for by the congress event
organizer or not.
"We specifically demand KRA participants not to carry any
weapons. Everybody must come clean to the session," Syarifuddin
said on Saturday.
KRA event organizer chief Tengku Syamaun Risyad repeated his
rejection on security deployment, saying that "the security
presence will only lead to riots".
Hundreds of Thaliban vigilantes and students were already set
to guard the congress, he said.
In an effort to more quickly find solutions to the problems in
Aceh, provincial legislators recommended on Friday for President
Abdurrahman Wahid to hold talks with ousted GAM leader Hasan Tiro
in Sweden.
"We hope Abdurrahman makes the visit, to open the possibility
for reconciliation in Aceh conflicts," Zulkifli, a councilor of
TNI/Polri faction, said.
Zulkifli said solving any Aceh conflict was unlikely if GAM
armed wing commanders refused to negotiate.
"They said it is Wali Negara (Hasan Tiro) who has the
authority to hold talks. How will the armed clash be stopped if
the leader does not call it off?" he asked.
Separately, in the restive Pidie regency, an alleged rebel
identified as Sulaiman, 30, was shot dead by troops near a mosque
at Nien Village in Simpang Tiga district on Saturday evening.
Unidentified armed gangs also threw grenades into an army
barracks in Hagu village of Lhokseumawe, the capital of giant
industrial regency of North Aceh, also on Saturday night.
No casualties were reported in the fray, local police chief
Lt. Col. Syafei Aksal said on Sunday. (50/51/edt)