Rogue forces exacerbate tension in Aceh

JAKARTA (JP): A member of the Indonesian Military/National Police faction in the Aceh provincial council said rogue forces in the province had exacerbated tensions between security forces and separatist rebels.

The spokesman of the TNI/National Police faction, Col. Muhammad Hadis, said in Banda Aceh on Tuesday numerous parties were exploiting the conflict for their personal interests.

"They are ex-convicts and dismissed TNI or police personnel. They intimidate, kidnap, murder and rob people," Muhammad told councillors during a session that also was attended by Governor Abdullah Puteh.

In the last three years, these people may have stolen hundreds of millions of rupiah from people in the province, Muhammad said.

"Hundreds of motorcycles and cars owned by the people and the government, and also a number of mobile phones, have also been taken by force," Muhammad said as quoted by Antara.

Muhammad, a former Banda Aceh Military District commander, urged security forces and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to cooperate to catch these rouge forces, who often pose as security officials and GAM members.

Separately on Tuesday, an Aceh-based alliance of non- governmental organizations said it planned to send a delegation to the annual session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, next month. The delegation will ask the International Court to take legal measures against those who have violated human rights in Aceh.

The alliance's spokesman, Maimul Fidar, said the delegation would deliver a report on the behavior and policies of Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Chairul Rasjidi and his personnel.

Maimul said the police were guilty of crimes against humanity because of the major role they played in the violence in Aceh.

"Ever since their operations began during the negotiations between the Indonesian government and GAM, the situation in Aceh has deteriorated," Maimul said as quoted by Antara.

Deaths

Separately, at least seven people, one of them a soldier, have been killed in separate incidents over the past two days.

North Aceh Police spokesman Adj. Comr. Abdi Darmawan said GAM rebels attacked a car carrying soldiers in Padang Sakti village, near oil company Exxon Mobil's gas refinery in Lhokseumawe. The attack occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Monday.

Sergeant Abu Bakar was killed in the attack, while six soldiers were wounded.

"In the 20-minute shoot-out, Abu was killed while six other TNI members were critically wounded," Abdi said.

GAM spokesman Abu Sofyan Daud admitted that rebel forces were responsible for the attack, but he said they thought the soldiers were thieves who were stealing their car.

Abdi also said another clash took place on Monday afternoon in Blang Mee, Bireun regency, leaving five soldiers injured.

A third incident on Monday in Pidie regency resulted in the death of a teenager, identified as Husaini Hanafiah, 18, who police claim was a GAM rebel.

Pidie Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Heru Budi Ersanto said Mobile Brigade officers carrying out inspections in Simpang Geumpung village shot the young man when he attempted to flee.

The GAM spokesman in Pidie, Abu Razak, maintained that Husaini was a civilian and not a member of GAM.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, five people were found dead in separate locations in East Aceh. The victims had bullet and stab wounds.

Two bodies were found dead in a ditch in the town of Langsa, while three bodies were found in Bireun village.

A member of the board of non-governmental organization Solidarity for Victims of Human Rights Violations, Mohamad Yusuf, said all of the victims had been missing since Monday night.

All five were civilians.

In a separate development, state-owned oil company Pertamina cut its oil supply to North Aceh on Monday.

North Aceh Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wanto Sumardi said on Tuesday someone claiming to be from GAM telephoned a threat to Pertamina. The unidentified called demanded Rp 1.5 billion (US$157,894) from the company.

Pertamina has not commented on the threat.

Pertamina's oil supply to Lhokseumawe on Tuesday afternoon was delivered under tight security. From Lhokseumawe, the oil will be distributed to other areas in North Aceh.

GAM spokesman Abu Sofyan Daud has denied any threats against the oil company, describing the story as a lie. He also said that if the police uncovered the identity of the caller, they should inform GAM so they could take action.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Tuesday he would not object to withdrawing his troops from the province if there was an honest demand from the people of Aceh.

However, he asserted that such a withdrawal must have a positive impact on the security situation in the province.

"I don't mind withdrawing my troops if I receive a guarantee that it will lead to improved circumstances for the Acehnese. But if the withdrawal will only worsen the situation, I will maintain the troops since their presence there is for the people," Endriartono said.

The Indonesian Military reportedly has deployed around 30,000 personnel to the province. (02/50/hdn)