Strikes continue over Aceh military command

Strikes continue over Aceh military command

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of Aceh students picketed the building of
the local legislature for the second day, protesting the
reestablishment of the Iskandar Muda Military command despite the
government's announcement that the plans were delayed.

Similar demonstrations were staged in Malang, East Java during
the visit of Indonesian Military Commander/Minister of Defense
and Security Gen. Wiranto to the Muhammadiyah University.

Wiranto was invited to lecture on new perspectives in the
reform era. Posters displayed by students included those saying
"Reject military command in Aceh," and "Stop military violence in
Aceh." No clashes were reported with security personnel.

Students in Banda Aceh said they wanted the plan of the
reestablishment of the military command dropped altogether, and
reiterated demands of bringing justice to victims of the Military
operations of 1989-1998, Antara reported.

"We are also demanding immediate troop withdrawal from Aceh,"
a student said.

Gen. Wiranto announced last month that Crack Riot Troops would
be redeployed to safeguard vital projects in Aceh. The police
were then put in charge of a series of operations against rebels.

The government then announced the Iskandar Muda Military
command, earlier incorporated into the Medan-based Bukit Barisan
command in North Sumatra, would be officiated on Sept. 1.

Following public pressure Gen. Wiranto said the plan was
postponed indefinitely.

Meanwhile Aceh has seen an increasing return of displaced
people leaving their shelters, mainly after the Aug. 17
Independence Day commemoration. Leaflets bearing signatures and
emblems of the Free Aceh Movement had been distributed around the
time of the commemoration, urging residents to stay home and not
fly the Indonesian red and white flag.

Of an initial figure of 22,000 residents from the Tangse
district alone in Pidie, only about 1,000 are left. Of the last
estimate of 90,000 refugees, there were 58,000 in Pidie.

On Monday and Tuesday some 5,000 residents from four villages
in Kemang Tanjung district had returned home, saying they were
now safe because marines had left the area. They said they feared
armed contact between the Military and armed groups in the area.

Fear of a food shortages has been raised given the possibility
of continued neglect of farmlands, as most refugees were farmers.

Meanwhile the Banda-Aceh based Serambi Indonesia reported on
Tuesday more school burnings in South Aceh.

Four elementary schools were burnt down early Monday in
Blangpidie and Kuala Batee districts while residents prevented
two other school buildings from being destroyed in fire in the
same districts. The incidents were believed to be arson, the
report said, citing the finding of jerrycans filled with petrol
near the buildings.

Following the end of the military operations last year,
violence by unidentified groups have led to the arson of 110
schools in Aceh. (anr/51/nur)