Two killed in Aceh violence

Two killed in Aceh violence

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The latest incidence of armed violence in Aceh has claimed the lives of four people, one of them a soldier, and left at least two others injured, officials said on Sunday.

The security forces also renewed their plea for people to ignore a call by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to hold a strike between January 16 and 18.

"We will protect the people and they are all advised to go on with their normal daily activities. We are ready to escort people if necessary," Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Dwiyanto said.

A member of the Indonesian Military (TNI), Pvt. Sunaryo, and a GAM fighter were killed in an armed skirmish at Ulee village in the Peusangan district of Bireun regency, some 210 kilometers east of Banda Aceh on Saturday, TNI spokesman Maj. Zaenal Mutaqin said.

In East Aceh, Rosmiati Kamal, the wife of the Darul Amman police chief, was found dead with severe head injuries in the couple's house at Teupin Batee village in the Idi Rayek district on Saturday.

Her death occurred when the police officer, Hasyim Ibrahim, was at work, East Aceh Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Gaguk Sumartono said.

In Aceh Besar regency on Saturday, an unidentified male corpse was found in Cot Kabeu village in Indrapuri district. The body has been taken to Zaenal Abidin General Hospital. A staff member at the hospital said the victim had sustained a stab wound to the chest. --JP