Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, June 22, 2003
GAM Rebels Kill 106 Civilians in Aceh
At least 106 local civilians have been killed by rebels of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) since the Indonesian government imposed martial law in the restive province of Aceh on May 19, police claimed Saturday.
At least 106 local civilians have been killed by rebels of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) since the Indonesian government imposed martial law in the restive province of Aceh on May 19, police claimed Saturday.
"The 106 civilians were not killed in the crossfire of gunfights between the government forces and insurgents, but in isolated incidents," Aceh Police Chief Insp. Gen. Bachrumsysh Kasman told a press briefing in Meulaboh of Aceh.
According to the national news agency Antara, Kasman said the killed civilians include six civil servants, 16 school teachers, 26 village heads, a number of retired military personnel and their family members.
"The numbers do not include civilians who were killed by the GAM for refusing to support the movement or for having assisted the military or police in any way," the provincial police chief added.
"In the past, GAM blackmailed, intimidated and terrorized people, but now they cannot do anything except flee into the mountains," Kasman said.
Separately, a spokesman of military operations command, Lt. Col.Ahmad Yani Basuki, said on the same day that nine GAM rebels were killed in gunfighting at some locations in Aceh on Friday, bringing their total death toll to 226.