Violence escalates in Aceh, 11 found dead

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Violence has again escalated in Aceh with at least 11 people being killed in various incidents on Wednesday, while talks continue between government representatives and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels regarding security arrangements.

The closed-door meeting took place at Kuala Tripa Hotel here discussing details about the security arrangements.

"Some of the breakthroughs include field commanders from both sides being linked by mobile satellite telephone hotlines, the introduction of a special joint force uniform and a planned joint operation between security forces and GAM to expel third parties disrupting the Aceh situation," said Oemardi, director of public information for the humanitarian pause in Aceh.

He further said that the closed-door meeting will probably be completed on Thursday.

The meeting was attended for the first time by two Indonesian Army representatives, Lt. Col. Ayardi, Teuku Umar Military chief of staff, and Lt. Col. Iskandar, Lilawangsa Military chief of staff.

Also present were government representatives Sr. Comr. Manahan Daulay and Sr. Comr. Ridwan Karim, while three deputy operational commanders from GAM, including Tengku Amri bin Abdul Wahab and Tengku Saiful bin Moh. Ali.

Two members of the monitoring team were also present.

Meanwhile, incidents were reported in East Aceh, Aceh Besar and South Aceh.

Five bodies were found in the town of Langsa, East Aceh, one in Birem Bayeun district and one more was evacuated from Peurelak, also in East Aceh, on Wednesday.

Among the seven fatalities was human rights activist Effendi Malikon, 40, deputy chief of the Human Rights Care Forum (FP-HAM) in the Simpang Ulin district of East Aceh.

"His body was found near a market in Langsa town riddled with gunshot wounds," said FP-HAM East Aceh chief M. Yusuf Puteh.

The other six victims were all between 20 and 40 years of age. Five were identified as Abubakar, Alfian, Idris, Yunus and Jubaili, while the remaining victim was unidentified.

Chief of Langsa General Hospital Azwan Halim Lubis said that the victims suffered gunshot wounds and lacerations to their bodies.

"All victims are estimated to have died some time since last night (Tuesday)," Lubis said.

Yusuf Puteh said that in recent weeks he has received threats from anonymous callers saying that "members of FP-HAM will be murdered if they continue to record residents' reports on violence in Aceh".

"Even though the calls have been made several times, we are not afraid and we will continue with our mission," Yusuf said.

The police, however, claim that only two alleged rebels were killed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Adj. Sr. Comr. Yatim Suyatmo said that Suwardi Hasyim, 37, was shot dead in Langsa on Tuesday, while another man named Mahdi, 35, was killed during a raid at his house on Wednesday.

Tension also rose in Langsa as troops increased security patrols in the area.

In Aceh Besar, a GAM rebel named Rusli Yusuf was arrested in a police raid at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday in Lampo neuheun village. During the raid police seized a rifle, revolver, military-style uniforms and several bullets for FN and M-16 weapons.

Two other bodies were also found in Aceh Besar on Wednesday morning.

The body of Ashari, a high school student, was found with severe cut wounds in Darul Imarah district, while another unidentified body was unearthed from a field in Kampung Jawa village, local police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sayed Husaini said.

"The unidentified body had already started to decompose. Dogs uncovered the grave and bit the body's thumb before locals found it," the officer said.

It was also reported on Wednesday that the Lilawangsa Military Command Intelligence Section chief, identified only as Maj. JP, was named a suspect in the murder of three RATA humanitarian activists on Dec. 6 last year in North Aceh.

In Jakarta, the House of Representatives (DPR) established on Wednesday a special committee to consider a bill for special autonomy in Aceh titled "Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam".

Earlier on Tuesday, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government would conduct a limited military operation early in March so that the strict measures planned against separatist activities will be accurate and civilians will not be hurt.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. said that security disturbances in Aceh cannot be handled by the police alone.

"Strict action against armed separatist activities must be conducted through military operations," Widodo told a hearing with the House special committee on national unity. (edt/02/50)