Three more dead as Aceh raids intensify
Three more dead as Aceh raids intensify
Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
At least three people were killed as military and police intensified operations in Aceh ahead of a commemoration, which has caused anxiety among villagers, the military said on Sunday.
The heightened assaults come as security forces anticipate planned celebrations by separatists to observe their unrecognized independence which falls on Dec. 4.
The three men who were shot dead on Saturday during a military operation in North Kluet regency, South Aceh district, were reportedly members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), according to military operations chief Major Edi Sulistiadie.
"The Indonesian Military (TNI) has confiscated an AK-47 rifle, two camouflaged army-style Jeeps and one radio," he said.
The battle, involving about 270 soldiers, resulted in a shoot- out lasting some 20 minutes. But GAM spokesman Abu Cut Ali could not immediately confirm that the victims were rebels, arguing that the military fired shots randomly at villagers.
Civilians were worried about possible clashes between troops and rebels when the security forces stepped up raids on villages, believed to be strongholds of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) guerrillas.
Villagers in the suburban areas of the capital Banda Aceh said they saw GAM guerrillas leaving the jungles to buy food at markets located near tightly-guarded security posts.
"We get very anxious when armed contact occurs because it usually victimizes civilians. If they become victims, nobody will claim responsibility," a resident, who declined to be named, told The Jakarta Post.
"At least they (the military or police) will say the victims were killed by stray bullets," he added.
Local military officials had said they would not allow GAM to hold a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of their self- proclaimed independence on Tuesday. Villagers have been warned against attending such an event, should it happen.
Lieut. Col. Firdaus Komarno, spokesman for Aceh's military field operations, said the Army and police would be sweeping villages, where GAM members would most likely celebrate their independence ceremony.
He also warned journalists not to get too close to any ceremony on Dec. 4 in order to avoid casualties. "We don't want to see journalists or civilians becoming victims," he said.
Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh called on local people on Saturday night to avoid provoking clashes between separatists and security forces.
"If the GAM or civilians commit an action against the law, the security forces will act against them," Puteh said, while adding that drivers should continue operating their public transport vehicles on Tuesday.
"There is no need to cease routine activities because government troops will protect them (civilians)," he added.
The government last week vowed to get tough with the separatists across the country.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono said the government will no longer tolerate separatism and that a total of 50 battalions, or some 32,500 men, will be deployed to independence-minded areas across the archipelago including Aceh.