Violence escalates in Aceh, 11 found dead

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)