[FORTILOS received the following information today from Yayasan HAK, Dili, Timor Lorosae.]

Yayasan HAK reported that joint operations have been launched by a number of ABRI units (Kopassus, SGI, territorial units in Ailiu and the Ailiu military command), the Rajawali Team (one of the earlier militias) and the AHI (I Live for Integration) militia in Aileu, about 30 kms south of Dili.

At 7am today, these joint forces launched a campaign of violence and terror in the district of Aileu. Early in the day, Yayasan HAK monitors in Aileu were able to report that the troops were firing their weapons from time to time in the vicinity of the town, but later, contact with the monitors was lost. An investigation team was sent to Aileu but was unable to enter the town as all roads were blockaded.

Our monitors are looking into the possibility that some inhabitants in the town may have managed to escape. It is feared that the civilians will suffer a variety of abuses such as terror, arrests, torture and murder.

To go by what has happened in the districts of Ermera and Bobonaro, this campaign of terror is likely to be followed by a proclamation dissolving the CNRT in the district. [Note that according to Kompas on 3 May, the CNRT branch in Ambeno was "dissolved" there.]

All solidarity organisations are requested to do everything in their power to prevent victims from falling in Aileu.