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.