Weapons sweep in Aceh results in more violence

Weapons sweep in Aceh results in more violence

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Three people were killed Monday and
nearly all Aceh regencies were paralyzed as residents stayed home
for fear of massive conflicts between authorities and Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) rebels.

Cinta Meunasah Operation spokesman Sr. Comr. Kusbini Imbar
said a soldier was killed in Beutong area of West Aceh on Monday
when he tried to defuse a bomb allegedly planted by rebels.

On Sunday, two soldiers were killed and two others wounded in
a similar type incident, he said.

Two rebels were killed in a firefight at Bagok, Julok district
in East Aceh on Monday, Kusbini said further.

And another police officer, Second Sgt. Tohap Daniel
Panjaitan, was shot dead in a gunfight with separatists at Blang
Jereun in North Aceh, near an Exxon-Mobil pipeline.

Rebel attacks also took place at North Aceh Police Precinct
and a security post on the outskirt of Lhokseumawe, but no
casualties were reported, said North Aceh Police chief Adj. Sr.
Comr Wanto Sumardi.

All towns in Aceh, except for the capital, Banda Aceh, were
quiet as schools and offices took an unscheduled day off.

The fear was triggered by a police order to collect illegal
weapons "in a move to restore law and order" by Jan. 15.

The gun sweeping operations will resume on Tuesday with active
searches since almost no weapons were voluntarily returned in the
15-day period.

Public transportation was also halted and no vehicles passed
the road linking Banda Aceh and Medan due to strong threats by
gunmen roaming the area.

GAM leaders claimed that the attack was "for revenge".

"If security forces continue to sweep civilian villages
looking for guns, we will step up attacks," North Aceh's GAM
spokesman Abu Sofyan Daud said.

Unofficial records indicate that no less than 70 people have
been killed in Aceh this year, including 11 police/military
members and eight alleged rebels.

Meanwhile Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and
Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Monday the
police would resume disarmament operations in the rebellious
province of Aceh, on Tuesday.

"Our law says that having a weapon without any license is
illegal," he said.

He promised the operation would be conducted persuasively.
"Therefore, there is nothing to be worry about," Susilo said.

According to Susilo the joint forum between the government and
GAM in Geneva from Jan. 6 to Jan. 10, has created a
"professional understanding" on security and non-security
matters.

"The government is reviewing the items that can be accepted
and those that should be amended ...," Susilo said.

The minister met Louisa Chan Boegli and Marthin Griffits of
the Henry Dunant Center at his office later on Monday to exchange
views.

Henry Dunant is a Non-Governmental Organization that sponsored
the meeting between the government and GAM.

Susilo informed that President Abdurrahman Wahid has decided
to establish a National Commission on Aceh Solution after the
Humanitarian Pause.

"This commission membership will comprise government and non-
government elements. We will set up the structure and determine
the priority of its duties, soon, Susilo said.

Separately, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf
said the police have explained to the public in Aceh about the
operations to collect illegal weapons.

"To Acehnese who do not obey the law, we will treat just like
other citizens ... The Police are allowed to take stern actions
with them. If they were against us, we will retaliate against
them," Saleh said. (50/51/02/edt)