Latest Aceh Shooting Politically Motivated, Police Say
Supporters carry the dead body of an Aceh Party supporter during a funeral in Biruen, Aceh province on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. (AFP Photo)
Jakarta. A fatal drive-by shooting on the streets of a Bireun district village on Monday night was the latest instance of politically motivated violence in the turbulent run-up to the April 9 legislative election, the National Police said on Wednesday.
"It's clear that [the shooting was motivated by] competition between political parties," National Police Chief Sutarman said. "We ask the people of Aceh to stay away from any provocation of any political power that may lead to violence."
An eighteen-month-old and two others died in a fusillade of bullets on Monday after two unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle, who are still being sought by police, opened fire on a vehicle decorated heavily with campaign banners for the Aceh Party (PA) in Geulanggang Tenguh village in the Kota Juang, Bireun. A fourth victim is in critical condition. A police investigation is ongoing.
Police do not yet know the ideology of the shooters but have concluded definitively that the incident was political.
Sutarman said that violence had become widespread throughout Aceh between factions supporting national and local political parties. Much of the attacks involved members of the PA and the Aceh National Party (PNA) — two political organizations founded by ex-Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel fighters.
Local leaders have urged local and National Police investigators to solve the cases quickly and put significant resources toward prevention and deterrence.
Tengku Faisal Ali, Deputy Head of Aceh Ulema Consultative Assembly, which issues opinions on Islamic matters in the province, urged party leaders to control their supporters. He also demanded death sentences for perpetrators.
"It's inhumane," he said. "The perpetrators have to be punished severely, put on death sentence if needed. Whoever did this is a common enemy of the Aceh people. The act violated Aceh's Islamic customs."
Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah echoed that sentiment.
"In the name of the Aceh Government, we condemn these brutal acts," the Aceh Party politician said on Tuesday afternoon.
He also asked residents to stay calm and resist involvement.
"Let the authorities solve it; the people shouldn't be provoked," he said. "If we are, that's what the terrorists wanted. They would win, then."
Bireuen district police official Adj. Sr. Cmr. Ali Khadafi said that local and National Police were working together.
"We're facing difficulties as some residents are afraid to give statements," he said. "We're still trying to convince them not to be afraid because the police will protect them.
"Trust me that the police are serious in handling the case. I will try my best to solve this case, including getting the ideological actors behind it. We will do it transparently. When we get them, we'll announce to the public what the motive really was."
Other recent incidents in the province included an attack last month in which two PNA supporters were critically injured and a member of PA was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries.
PA member Ahmad Syuib, 28, was shot on March 21 in Ulee Reuleueng village, North Aceh district, while taking part in a convoy after attending a campaign event.
The following Saturday, a mob of PA supporters converged on the home of Amri, a local official with PNA, in retaliation
| Reply via web post | Reply to sender | Reply to group | Start a New Topic | Messages in this topic (1) |
to Subscribe via email :
batavia-news-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
----------------------------------------
VISIT Batavia News Blog
http://batavia-news-networks.blogspot.com/
----------------------------
You could be Earning Instant Cash Deposits
in the Next 30 Minutes
No harm to try - Please Click
http://tinyurl.com/bimagroup
--------------
No comments:
Post a Comment