Jakarta – Prices of some basic commodities are climbing in the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh as the ongoing conflict between government troops and separatist rebels has disrupted supplies from the neighboring province of North Sumatra.

Antara reported that the prices of some commodities had almost doubled as traders began to run out of stock. Cooking oil climbed from Rp 6,500 per kilogram to Rp 8,500 per kilogram, while eggs jumped from Rp 7,250 per kilogram to Rp 12,800 per kilogram. But other prices like rice, wheat, sugar and meat remained stable due to sufficient supply. A kilogram of rice, for example, costs Rp 2,500.

Deliveries of some commodities from neighboring North Sumatra all be ceased as of Tuesday as road travel is seen as increasingly dangerous, said traders and drivers. Some trucks have reportedly been stopped and burned along the highway connecting the two provinces. "Today some basic commodities are no longer available. I'm selling what I have because there's no supply anymore," Abdullah, a trader at a traditional market in Banda Aceh told AFP on Friday.

Another truck said he no longer delivered food following the arson attacks. "I'm afraid of driving after four trucks and a bus were burned by armed men in Pidie on Wednesday," said the driver, who declined to give his name.

However, military vehicles belonging to the Indonesian Military (TNI) continue to patrol the road from dawn to dusk. Red-and-white Indonesian flags were seen hoisted above houses along the road.

Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh said the government would airlift food supplies if necessary. He said unidentified people had also used felled trees to block roads linking North Sumatra and Aceh.

Meanwhile, in Aceh Besar regency, the Indonesian Military (TNI) started the delivery of five tons of rice, 200 boxes of instant noodles and 50 blankets on Nasi Island after securing the island from GAM.

Before TNI captured the island, GAM had prohibited all boats from sailing from and to the island, causing 6,000 residents on the island to suffer food shortages. The TNI is still hunting about 40 GAM members on the island.

Meanwhile, several bus drivers said that intercity buses were temporarily grounded at bus terminals or garages due to security concerns. Some bus companies revealed they did not dare operate due to fears of being attacked by GAM rebels.

Transportation company owners pointed to the arson attacks along several parts of the highway linking Aceh and North Sumatra. Both the public at large and the transportation company owners expressed hope peace would be restored as soon as possible.