Banda Aceh – A new separatist group acting as an umbrella organization for several pro-independence movements in Aceh province is demanding both the military and the Free Aceh rebels agree to a cease-fire.
"Forces from both sides have to put down their guns and go back to their headquarters," Aguswandi, spokesman for the group called Team 21 and a student leader seeking an independence referendum for Aceh, said Thursday.
Meanwhile, thousands of people staged peaceful protests in several Indonesian cities to express their frustration over the government's failure to end widespread violence.
More than 1,000 students in Banda Aceh demanded an end to bloodshed that has plagued the province for months. They appealed to both security forces and pro-independence guerrillas to stop fighting.
"We call on Indonesia's military and the police as well as the Free Aceh Movement fighters to return to humanity and end the armed conflicts," Safwan Idris, dean of a Muslim teacher training institute, told reporters.
The formation of Team 21 was announced Wednesday. It acts as an umbrella group for various local organizations, the Muslim Taliban and student bodies seeking a referendum.
A top military commander in Aceh, about 1,750 kilometers northwest of Jakarta, said Indonesian forces had declared a cease-fire, but were still attacked by rebel forces. However, he welcomed the group's call.
"We did that six months ago. But the Free Aceh Movement still attacks the military. And for the past six months, the military had still held back from attacking them," Col. Syarifudin Tippe said.
Hundreds have been killed in Aceh in recent months, and there have been almost daily reports of bodies found. Estimates place the toll at 5,000 during the past decade. The military is widely hated by Aceh's residents after years of alleged human rights abuses.
Police killed three suspected separatists – two during a police sweep against pro-independence rebels – Wednesday in western Aceh province, police chief Lt. Col. Syafei Aksal said.
Also Wednesday, an activist said a motorcyclist was shot to death, and that police claimed the man was a member of the Free Aceh Movement.
Indonesian authorities have reportedly launched an anti-rebel campaign in recent weeks to try to destroy the insurgents' camps and capture their leaders.
Seven people were killed and several others wounded in Aceh on Tuesday during clashes between separatists and security forces hours after Wahid participated in a peace ceremony and predicted an end to the region's unrest.