Two killed as violence returns to troubled Aceh

Two killed as violence returns to troubled Aceh

JAKARTA (JP): Violence broke the semblance of peace in Aceh
when a policeman and civilian were killed in separate incidents,
police said on Saturday.

Provincial Police chief Brig. Gen. Bahrumsyah confirmed that
Sgt. Khairulsyah Lubis was shot dead in Tuwi Kareung village in
West Aceh on Friday.

Honey trader Hasirin Ginting Baincik was found dead earlier on
Thursday in his quiet village of Dusun Danau in South Aceh. His
head was nearly severed and stab wounds were found on his chest.

Bahrumsyah said Khairulsyah died instantly after he was shot
once to his chest by unidentified assailants. He was not certain
whether there was one attacker or more.

"We're investigating the assault. But so far there has been no
significant development in our investigation," he told The
Jakarta Post by phone.

Khairulsyah said the tally of officers killed in the restive
province was 17 in the last two months.

Bahrumsyah said that the revolver belonging to Khairulsyah was
also missing. He suspected the weapon was taken by the attacker.

Officer Khairulsyah, a father of two children, was believed to
have been shot on his motorcycle after he left his home in Blang
Ramee. His body was found two kilometers from his home.

West Aceh Police chief Lt. Col. Aris Sumarman was shocked and
saddened by the shooting.

"Why did this happen? What have we done wrong? We are just
protecting and serving the public," West Aris told the local
daily Serambi Indonesia.

Residents of Dusun Danau found bloodstained trousers and a
shirt near Hasirin's body. The trousers were inscribed with the
word cuak (traitor).

Violence has mounted in some parts of Aceh even after the
government lifted the military operation and gradually withdrew
its personnel from the area.

"Whoever committed the murder has apparently tried to provoke
the security personnel to use a repressive approach in its
operation," Bahrumsyah said.

He added that his office and local military command were still
trying to stop the killings and at the same time implement a
persuasive approach in their operation without using violence.

Rally

A wave of peaceful demonstrations have been held in Aceh in
the past three days. Apart from their demand for a referendum,
the protesters asked newly elected President Abdurrahman Wahid to
keep his promise to settle the social and economic problems in
the province.

At least two people were killed after falling from trucks that
carried them to rallies in South Aceh and East Aceh.

Local leaders also called on Abdurrahman to visit the
province.

"Acehnese do not need empty promises any more," Tengku Nurdin
Amin, who is a member of the provincial legislative council from
Pidie regency, said.

"But if Abdurrahman visits here and does not meet his promise
(to resolve Aceh's problem), then don't bother to come," Nurdin
said.

Nurdin also reiterated that Jakarta must acknowledge the
existence of the Free Aceh Movement's armed wing (AGAM) and
involve them in the Aceh peace talks.

Munir Muhammad, the head of Aceh's chapter of the Muslim
Students Association (HMI), concurred.

"The Acehnese cannot wait any longer. We want to end this
misery as soon as possible," Munir said. "We expect a lot from
President Abdurrahman and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri."

A visit to Aceh by Abdurrahman remains unclear so far,
although the President has announced settling the troubles in the
province would be his responsibility.

Abdurrahman, along with National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman
Amien Rais, last toured Aceh one month before the presidential
bid. Amien is now the People's Consultative Assembly speaker.

Local Muslim leaders also have repeatedly stated their plan to
introduce sharia (Islamic law) in the province.

Both Abdurrahman and Amien said they strongly support the
introduction of incorporating Islamic values and legal principles
in formulating policies on human rights. (51/emf/edt)