Police vow war with Aceh rebels

JAKARTA (JP): Aceh Police vowed on Monday to use any legal means to fight Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels in the province.

Speaking at a media conference here, chief of the provincial police Col. Bahrumsyah called the rebel group members "criminals" and said security authorities would continue a crackdown on the group for their unlawful acts in the province.

Bahrumsyah was accompanied by former commander of the Crack Riot Troops (PPRM) in Aceh, Col. Ridhwan Karim, who handed over his post to Col. Nurdin on Thursday.

"The separatist rebels have justified any means to terrorize Aceh people, including intimidation, extortion of money and provocation to attack law enforcers," Bahrumsyah said.

In the latest attack on PPRM troops deployed to the troubled province since May, the bodies of two personnel were found with slashed necks last week.

Bahrumsyah reiterated that escalating violence in the country's westernmost province was not only caused by the presence of police or military personnel, but was the result of crimes committed by rebel groups.

He denied media reports which said villagers sought refuge away from their villages for fear of violent measures by the military and police.

"These issues on refugees have been manipulated to marshal public opinion about human rights violations by security personnel," Bahrumsyah said.

He said the number of the separatist rebels and their weapon stocks were unknown factors.

Ridhwan said police had difficulties identifying groups who they claimed incited residents to commit recent acts of violence.

"Unidentified armed groups frequently prevent us from entering a village where an incident is reported. But if we manage to reach the village, residents there refuse to talk to us for fear of the groups' threat," Ridhwan said.

Both Ridhwan and Bahrumsyah suspected rebel groups smuggled guns and artillery into the area, because there were no weapon factories in the province.(03/emf)